Who am i as a learner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Who am i as a learner - Essay Example Section A of the report describes the different learning styles I possess along with the implications of learning. Furthermore, it also illuminates my transferrable skills and lifelong learning experiences. According to Winstanley (2005), learning can occur at any time whether willingly or unintentionally. People often consider learning as an attainment of new knowledge and abilities, but it is much beyond that. Apart from knowledge and abilities, learning can help to gain new understandings and insights, new viewpoints, new methods of thinking and new ways of acting among others. It is an active procedure which helps to develop skills and to apply new knowledge into action (Winstanley, 2005). Romanelli, Bird & Ryan (2009) stated that learning can be attained in different ways. The learning style acts as an indicator of how people observe, cooperate and respond to specific learning environments. Learning style or preferences are regarded as one of the major factors of success in academic as well as professional life (Romanelli, Bird & Ryan, 2009). In this context, it can be stated that there are several methods which help to identify the personal learning preferences. In order to understand my position as a learner I have applied Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) which is based on Jung’s typology test. This test is developed on the basis of four activities of human consciousness which are feeling, thinking, intuition and sensation. Jung had stated that every person possesses the above four aspects to a certain extent. However, differences can be observed in terms of strengths involved in different individuals with respect to the above aspects. Jung had stated about sixteen different personality typologies which are further classified into four preferences namely: The outcome of Myers-Briggs Test (see appendix 1) provided significant understanding regarding my personality types. By undertaking Jung’s typology

Personal Impact Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal Impact - Term Paper Example It is a condition where a patient suffers discomfort in emptying their bowels (defecation) and may include abdominal pain and loss of appetite (Rogers, 2011). The disorder typically occurs when the water from the food that the patient ate is absorbed too much by the colon. When the colon absorbs too much water from the food, it will dry up the bowel and consequently result to its slow movement in the digestive tract and thus the constipation disorder. Patients who are suffering from constipation may feel severe pain in the excretion of their bowels especially when the feces are very hard. In extreme cases, it is not only the feces that cannot pass out of the rectum but also the gas that makes the disorder an obstipation (Medical News Today, 2009) In most cases, constipation is caused by the colon’s too much absorption of water from the food. In the case of children however, many of the children’s constipation is caused by functional or idiopathic problem (if the disorder cannot be explained by anatomical or physiological abnormalities) which is more psychological than biological. Unlike in adults whose disorder is primarily caused by their unhealthy eating patterns and lifestyle and mainly physiological in origin, the contributing factors that causes constipation in children can include psychological issues, difficulty in their toilet training and even heredity (Rogers, 2011). In addition to children, old people are also prone to constipation. It is because age related changes in the patient’s body can affect the gastrointestinal tract that would hamper their regular bowel movement though studies were not conclusive that older people are more likely to be affected by constipation than younger people (Woodward, 2012). The report of Medical News Today hypothesized that the reduction of the speed of an old patient’s metabolism may be the reason why older people get constipated which is typically a result of a

Gibson and Fender Marketing Mix

Gibson and Fender Marketing Mix Introduction 1.1. Background A guitar is an indispensable musical instrument for playing a variety of music, such as jazz and pop music. Because of Chinese economy grows and an increasing number of consumers interest in music develops, China is becoming an essential market for guitar companies. Most guitar users own at least one guitar which can provide them their favorite tones. For the demand for different types of guitar making dissimilar tones, there are many producers that have been manufacturing guitars for a number of years such as Ibanez and ESP. However, the two quality makers, Gibson and Fender, stated by Gearpipe (2007), have the best sales volume at a high price. Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 a) mentions that Gibson is an American establishment which began in 1904 whose main product is electric guitar. Another leading guitar company is Fender. According to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 a), Fender began in 1946 in The USA which is not only adept at making electric guitars, but electric basse s and other products as well. 1.2. Theory 1.2.1. Market Segmentation All about economic on the web (2010) shows that as peoples different needs and wants, market segmentation is becoming increasing stable for business. The definition of market segmentation is dividing a market into a number of sub-markets based on some sort of particular features. 1.2.2. Marketing Mix According to Hall et al (2008), marketing mix is the elements of a market which are designed to satisfy consumers needs and wants. There are basically four Ps of marketing mix. The four Ps are product, price, promotion and place. 1.3. Aims There are three aims of this report. The initial one is to analyze the market segmentation of Gibson and Fender for Chinese consumers and comparing the marketing mix from different angles in the findings part. Moreover, evaluating and comparing these two firms from both positive and negative ways is another target in the discussion. Finally, recommendations in the conclusion show suggestions of development for Gibson and Fender companies in China. Findings 2.1. Market Segmentation The market segmentation of Gibson should be guitar players who are affluent and interested in old fashion music. Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 b) demonstrates that Gibson guitars are much more expansive than its competitors. In addition, Gibson electric guitars are almost all be designed in the same style which can often attract buyers who are the big fans of old fashion style. Fender mainly aims at attracting electric guitar and bass players who are wealthy and crazy about nowadays music. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 b) shows that its products are costly which are designed in an extremely popular style with modern tone. 2.2. Marketing Mix 2.2.1. Product Gibson is a world-wide guitar company. According to Gibson Guitar Corps (2010 c) demonstration, the major product of this company, undeniably, is the electric guitar. The Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson SG are the most salable and classical types of product that are always in the same shape with limited colors. Gibson targets guitar players who play heavy metal. Therefore, the tone of Gibson electric guitars sounds highly heavy and quite suitable for performing heavy metal. Guitarz (2008) introduces that the famous lead guitar player Angus Young who was playing in a heavy metal band, ACDC, is using a guitar made by Gibson. Fender is also a well-running guitar establishment. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 c) explains that despite the electric guitar, Fender is also well-known for other products such as modern styles electric basses and amplifiers. Fender has been trying to make its products can be used to play jazz, blues and pop-rock. Thus it is found that Fender guitars tone is awfully soft and clean. An example of musician who is using Fender to play pop music is Eric Johnson (Eric Johnson, N.D.). 2.2.2. Price By analyzing data from Smarter (2010), Price of Gibson merchandise is frequently higher than other guitar producers. The same as Gibson, Fender products cost consumers considerably. Undoubtedly, with such a high price, the quality of products from these two businesses is usually better than other companies for their unique technique. However, Gibson and Fender not only make high quality guitars to the rich. Both of them own subsidiary companies (Squier and Epiphone) for making lower-quality guitars for green hands playing guitar and who find that it is difficult to afford the guitars which are completely pricey(Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 d; Gibson Guitar Corp, 2010 d). 2.2.3. Promotion Gibson Company has only one effective major promotion that is product endorsement by asking famous rock stars to use its guitars. One example is, Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 e) states that Slash Les Paul which is shown in the picture is designed for a famous rock guitar player, Slash. This is such an impactful measure to promote Slashs fans to buy this guitar. (Gibson Guitar Corp, 2010 f) Similarly, Fender promotes in the same way. For instance, in the picture, there is Roger Waters Precision Bass which is a late-model electric bass of Fender that is named for a celebrated bass player, Roger Waters and recommending his fans to spend money on this bass (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 e). What is more, Fender Centre (N.D.) reported that Fender frequently do public relations for promotion such as donates to poor children which is such a nice way to obtain public approval. (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 f) 2.2.4. Place Selling place for Gibson and Fender are not even slightly different. There are mainly to locations types are involved. Firstly, is provision of products to retailers so that consumers can buy them which are displayed in musical stores. However, in China, there are few musical stores selling their products. As a result, another approach is to sell their merchandise online which is a convenient shortcut for customers who live in places where musical shop do not exist. Their online shops are available on their respective web-site. Discussion Comparing the market segmentation, Gibson pays mass attention on making guitars providing to metal and hard-rock players who fancy old style. The obviously edge is that Gibson can manufacture professional electric guitars to win more market share. However, Changing of fashion or other factors may cause a sharp decline of demand. By contrast, Fender is radically different. It has been making diverse musical equipments for an amount of fanciers of jazz, blues and pop-rock who are following the up to date fashion. The vantage is the problems caused by diversification of consumers taste and popularity will never be faced. A serious drawback is making the market over-broad. Further, the marketing mix is analogous between these two companies instead of their products considering their distinctive brand culture causing characteristic products. Additionally, Fender might achieve more public praise for its effort to public relations. Conclusion 4.1. Recommendations Although Gibson and Fender have obtained a high market share and public praise, it is still necessary to have further improvement. By do surveys to obtain information from 60 guitar players, there are three suggestions for each company depending on the surveys result which is shown below. 4.1.1. Recommendations for Gibson There are three recommendations for Gibson. First of all, it is applicable to manufacture guitars into dissimilar shapes and colors. The changeless shape and boring colors cannot satisfy today consumers. Additionally, it is practicable to make an effort to produce other musical instruments. Whats important should be done is to make more lower-level product for most Chinese are not wealthy enough hoping to buy their first guitars of good quality. Although there is Epiphone as the subsidiary company producing elementary product for novices, customers still hope to buy Gibson rather than Epiphone. (Reasons for refuse to buy Gibson products) 4.1.2. Recommendations for Fender There are three suggestions are provided to Fender. One method is to make products which can be not only high quality, but also unusual and special catching buyers eyes to gain more market share from competitors. What is more, Fender should focus on Chinese market by selling its merchandise to more retailers so that consumers can buy Fender products easily. Marking lower-level products as cash cows with affordable price to segment consumers who are interested in guitar but have not enough money is an acceptable strategy to improve sales volumes as well. (Reasons for refuse to buy Fender products) 4.2. Summary To sum up, both Gibson and Fender are immensely successful. The most essential factor for Gibson to achieve the success is to concentrates on electric guitar and making Les Paul and SG becoming world-wide triumphant. For Fender, the most momentous reason should be a broad enough market for with generally higher quality and public relation than its competitors. Other factors causing success, such as product endorsement, are notable too. It is firmly believed that as Chinese market becomes increasingly important, Gibson and Fender may find more methods to take on this market.

Parallels Between The Truman Show and Platos Allegory of the Cave Essa

Parallels Between The Truman Show and Plato's Allegory of the Cave The movie, 'The Truman Show' is about a reality television show that has been created to document the life of a man who, adopted at birth by a television network, is tricked into believing that his life, his reality, is normal and the environment that he lives is real. It is set in a town called Seahaven, which is essentially a simulation of the real world similar enough to the outside world that the viewing audience can relate to it. The town is a television studio inside an enormous dome in which the weather, the sun, the sky, and all the actions of the citizens are directed by a team of special effects people. The entire show is directed and produced by the creator of the show, Christof. Truman Burbank, the star of the show, is the only one who doesn't know that he lives in a giant studio and is surrounded by an illusion of reality. The entire world watches Truman's movements twenty four hours a day, seven days a week through the use of thousands of miniature hidden cameras. The Truman Show closely parallels Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Initially, Truman is trapped in his own 'cave'; a film set or fictional island known as Seahaven. Truman?s journey or ascension into the real world and into knowledge is similar to that of Plato?s cave dweller. Truman, much like the prisoners in the cave, would know no difference then what they have been taught or shown to be the real world their whole lives. If T...

New Historic Criticism of Pudd’nhead Wilson

The striking lack of agreement about the merits of Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson, is undoubtedly related to the equally striking disagreements over the interpretations and analysis of the novel. In a crucial senses, related to all the thematic analysis presented so far, leave important aspects of the novel unaccounted for. As a result, those who are inclined to praise the novel dismiss certain parts as finally inconsequential evidence of Twain’s predictably careless technique. On the other hand those who have serious reservations about its merits stress its lack of coherence, lack of an action suitable to embody what appear to be the author’s chief concerns.Although the interpretations vary widely, ranging from the view that its theme is the conflict between reality and appearance to the assertion that it has no clear meaning, two interpretative emphases are most common. First, there are critics who stress upon racial themes, especially slavery and misceg enation or marriages between different races. And second those who argue for the centrality of the theme of environmental determinism and see slavery as simply a metaphor for Twain’s more general concern, with the influence of training of the individual. While both these approaches give valuable insight, both are unsatisfactory because they leave too many questions unanswered.It was once considered that the integrity of imagination was violated by interpretation, considerations of race, class and sex have not entered into the most formalist readings.In Pudd’nhead Wilson, Twain presents a critique of slavery and race relations in the American South. He highlights the arbitrariness of racial distinctions and classifications by showing how easily Roxana, a slave is able to switch her own son with the offspring of her master. The young usurper grows among the whites without suspicion, and Twain is able to demonstrate how artificial and constructed racial distinctions actua lly are.Race, Conflict and CultureThe recently increased interest in Mark Twain’s â€Å"Pudd’nhead Wilson† is a text that turns the misapprehension of gender and race in a mid-nineteenth century Southern town into a complicated spoof of the â€Å"fiction of law and customs† in the United States. Pudd’nhead Wilson depicting race and custom identity within legal and scientific discourses lends itself readily to the new kind of historic readings related to â€Å"Race, Conflict and Culture.†A white skinned man, robs and murders and he subsequently discovers, through the science of fingerprinting, that he is actually a descendent of African race and a slave. In his infancy, he was changed with his young master, Valet de Chamber or (Chambers), alias Tom Driscoll, seems almost to be tailor-made for the audience of 1990’s. This book is considered as an intriguing depiction of complexities and constructions of race in the late nineteenth centu ry United States.Recent attention to racial issues, and renewed interest of literary criticism in history, has helped define the precise nature of cultural tragedy which is presented in the novel. The traditional plot of European comedy in which confusion over identity disrupts a hierarchical order that is restored when true identity is revealed, does not seem to work in democratic America, especially not when the confusion involves race. As in Pudd’nhead Wilson, Roxy tries to justify her act of cradle exchange of her son for her master’s and reasons with herself, â€Å"white folks has done it.† But her efforts as a mother to have her son defy the fate allotted a slave in racist America, ends in futility.The new historical criticism of the text certifies the different ways of reading narrative incoherence and different ways in formulating relationship between culture and literature. Some critics argue that Twain was unaware of Pudd’nhead Wilson’s p enetrating indictment of race slavery and that the discontinuities of the text mark a retreat to the illusion when none has occurred. While Myra Jehlen (1990) sees more ambivalence than outright evasion and manifests a familiar dilemma in Twain as a stalemate, between racial criticism and implicit conservatism. David Wilson stands in for the author, who recognizes competing rights that render incompatible social order and social justice.Carolyn Porter (1990) sees similar ambivalence in Roxana’s powerfully subversive, and David Wilson’s repressive plots. She also argues that the novel does not resolve, but only plays out the tension between them. Some read a more deliberate authorial strategy into the text’s disjunctions. Through David Wilson as a businessman, Twain meditates on the speculative postwar economy as an outgrowth rather than rejection of the slave economy. If the new historicism performs a textual reading of culture, they have not ceased to read the literary text as a special entity. When the critics analyze a fictional character or episode, there is no way the analysis can be proven wrong and all take satisfaction in being right. But whether Pudd’nhead Wilson is an extension, a reflection or a critique of cultural dynamics remains a matter of debate.Main Characters in the novelRoxana or Roxy in Pudd’nhead Wilson is cited as an exceptional woman, â€Å"her gestures and movements distinguished by a noble and stately grace,† is the rarest of beings depicted in Twain’s work, though the white women characters in his work tend to be static and stereotypical.   She is a passionate and an attractive woman and according to Fishkin (1995) is cunning, physically possessing, enterprising and genuinely interesting and engaging. She is conceived by Twain as something other than matronly old ladies or prepubescent schoolgirls. Roxy is also more complex of the stereotypes which were most commonly used by white au thors to portray women of her race and status.David Wilson, â€Å"Pudd’nhead Wilson,† is a character that gained its name from the book but many critics have ignore, denied, or belittled his significance to the story. The result is that Wilson role is considered that of a mere lever, or someone who moves the plot along but has no intrinsic importance. Though Wilson is referred to as an ass in the opening chapters, but like a donkey he has a number of admirable attributes. He is intelligent, courteous and diligent and it’s only Roxy who describes his as â€Å"de smartes’ man in dis town.† His hobbies though they seem odd to the average townsperson, demonstrate his sharp and meticulous mind.Thomas a Beckett Driscoll (Tom) is the name given by Percy Driscoll to his child and after Roxy switches the babies, the slave usurper is referred to as â€Å"Tom.† From the beginning, Tom turns out to be a bad boy and his bad behavior continues to grow wit h age and is described by Roxy as â€Å"fractious.† He is cruel towards Chambers and rude towards Roxy’s affection, viewing his mother as â€Å"merely a slave and chattel.† Valet de Chambers, (Roxy’s son) on the other hand is raised as a slave and grows up to be docile and meek but a strong fighter and a good swimmer. Tom not only forces Chambers to be his bodyguard but is also cruel and jealous of the slave’s natural physical abilities. But even upon discovering that he is the real Tom Driscoll and is rich and free, Chambers still   feels uncomfortable in the company of whites because of his slave upbringing.Slavery in the mid-nineteenth centuryAccording to Jehlen (1990), Mark Twain while associating the black race with the female sex, represents racism in the unconventionally loathsome form of slavery. Roxana’s status as a mulatta (feminine) is clearly crucial to Twain’s story. Roxana as a mulatta most certainly exposes the covert tradition of miscegenation, but her serial ordeal as a mulatta mother intent on saving her son exposes much more ( Porter, 1990). The ideologies of race and sex Mark Twain used in the novel Pudd’nhead Wilson were not controllable through literary form, because the writing posed problems that the history of racial and sexual thinking in America, impossible to resolve.Percy Driscoll on having some money stolen threatens to sell the guilty servant â€Å"down the river† which shows that life for the slaves on large cotton plantations was far harsher than for the Missouri slaves. To be sold â€Å"down the river† was equivalent to be condemned to hell, with old slaves being sold away to be replaced by the new slaves. Dawson’s Landing is a highly stratified hierarchical society and at the apex of this social order were the first descendants of Virginia, represented by Judge Driscoll down to the lowest rung of the social ladder-the slaves.And so powerful is this social hierarchy, that those on the bottom were forbidden from eating or sitting with citizens of higher status. This segregation was visible in the layout of the town structure where the snug houses for the white population were situated up front while the portion for the slaves was hidden in the backcountry. Through constructing this social framework, Twain delivers a stinging critique of slavery and in the South of America. Pudd’nhead Wilson is unique to its time in portraying the slave characters as dishonest, lazy and at times dangerous. But in Roxy’s views, slavery is a crime committed by the whites against her race.ConclusionCritics seem intent on challenging the new directions in literary analysis and laying down the terms of debate as to what standard   has the literary works been classified to up to this point and the terms by which we read literature and by analyzing the relationship of literature to the larger question by which we govern our lives. Today the problems of race and sex have become vastly complicated than when a literary work was thought to invent its own sufficient language.The task of the critics then was to show how all parts worked together to reveal coherence. But today, with no available assurance no one can be certain that in a particular work the history is internally coherent or that the issues it treats finally hang together. Though not simple, but the task of literary criticism is to analyze works, not to dismantle them. In the light of these questions, Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson contributes not only to Twain’s single work, but also adds to the growing number of works both participating in and questioning new directions in the study of literature.BIBLIOGRAPHYJehlen Myra. Spring, The Ties That Bind: Race and Sex in Pudd’nhead Wilson. American Literary History. Vol. 2, No.1. 1990. pp. 39-55.Fishkin, Shelley Fisher. Mark Twain and Women. The Cambridge Companion to Mark Twain. Cambridg e University Press: New York, NY. 1995.Jehlen, Myra. The Ties that Bind: Race and Sex in Pudd'nhead Wilson. Mark Twain's Pudd'nhead Wilson. Duke University Press: Durham, SC. 1990.Porter, Carolyn. Roxana's Plot. Mark Twain's Pudd'nhead Wilson. Duke University Press: Durham, SC. 1990.Wald, Priscilla. Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson: Race, Conflict and Culture. Studies in American Fiction, Journal Article. Vol. 23, 1995.Thomas, Brook. Tragedies of Race, Training, Birth and Communities of Competent Pudd’nheads. American Literary History, Vol. 1, No.4.   Winter, 1989. pp. 754-785.

Event Management Proposal Essay

759 Kawaiiland is the chain of outlets under the brand extension of 759 Store which selling personal care product import primarily from Japan and Korea to provide up-to-date and high quality products with reasonable prices. The first outlet of Kawaiiland was launched in December 2013, currently has  seven outlets and aim to expand to 20 stores in 2014. This event proposal is aim to reinforce our brand image and reputation, also celebrating the launch of our new outlets through the first ever event â€Å"Afternoon Tea in Kawaiiland† in order to create awareness and spread word-of-mouth to the media and customers. Our event audience includes female customers and potential customers, beauty bloggers, celebrities, sponsors, media and participants aged 18 to 30 years old. More than 150 participants in attendance and it will reach more than thousands of audience with rich media coverage. The first ever event, â€Å"Afternoon Tea in Kawaiiland† will be held on November 23rd 2014, Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00p.m. at Discovery Park shopping mall in Tsuen Wan. The event theme and concept is feeling like a group of girls enjoying afternoon tea in a fancy and fun atmosphere. A series of event activities are related to personal care and beauty which is divided into 5 sessions on the day of event including makeup contest, expertise sharing, games, photo booths and surprise mechanism. Gifts and souvenirs will be offered to the winners and participants. Refreshments and drinks will also be served during the event. This event will go with advertising supports through magazines, social media, websites, posters, leaflets and bloggers. Based on the size of the event and target audience, we expect to ensure 80% of total attendance participating in the event through online registration and invitation, to obtain around HK$190,000 of sponsorship; to have 3 artists performing in the event; to attract 80% of invited media visiting the event; and to get 70% satisfied rating from attendees and sponsors. These gains will be evaluated through a variety of evaluation methods after the event. In order to achieve these objectives, we are seeking the approval of funding of HKD two hundred and forty thousand by the management to support this event proposal. This plan and this investment will lead 759 Kawaiiland in becoming the most competitive retail brand in the region. Company Background 759 Store is a retail brand in Hong Kong established by a list company CEC International, the store is named with the stock number â€Å"0759†. 759 Store aims to provide a high-quality lifestyle and consumption model in the Japan residential area to Hong Kong locals. 759 outlets has rapidly growth from 2010, the first store which selling snacks, food and beverage, to 2014, over  200 outlets selling different variety of products include food& beverage, household goods and personal care products. Over 1 million customers have owned a 759 Store VIP card. 759 mainly rely on Facebook and mobile app to communicate the discount, product information and outlets location with customers. 759 Kawaiiland is the chain of outlets which selling personal care product import primarily from Japan and Korea. 759 Kawaiiland aims to provide up-to-date, high quality products with reasonable prices. The first outlet was launched in December 2013, 759 Kawaiiland currently has seven outlets and aim to expand to 20 within 2014. The 759 Store VIP card can also be used in 759 Kawaiiland. 10% discount will be offer to customer with a VIP card, non-scheduled discount will also offer to customers. The First Ever Event By using the market development strategy, â€Å"Afternoon Tea in Kawaiiland† will be the first event hold by 759 Kawaiiland. Since many personal care or beauty products companies have engaged in difference events to communicate their marketing message. In Hong Kong, the Sasa bloggers events invites customers to their new product presentation and new product trial, Shiseido and Shu uemura hold makeup workshop to encourage product trial. Also in Singapore, Guardian and Waston hold â€Å"Haraju-cute† event and â€Å"Look alike† contest to entertain customer and to create awareness. The first ever event for 759 Kawaiiland can create a WOW effect to the media as well as the end market. With the event tactics, 759 Kawaiiland will be able to reinforce existing reputation and image, entertaining the participants and audience, and at the same time communicate our marketing message to our customers.