How Formative Assessment Supports Pupils' Learning Essay

How Formative Assessment Supports Pupils' Learning - Essay Example According to the Collins English Dictionary (2003), formative assessment is the â€Å"ongoing assessment of a pupil’s educational development within a particular subject area. Sadler (1999) defines it as the kind of assessment whose intention is to generate feedback so as to improve and enhance students’ learning. This kind of assessment helps development of knowledge, skills and abilities and also enhances understanding without necessarily having to pass any final testing (Black and Wiliam 2003). Formative assessments are learner centered, which means that their goal is to help the student make maximum progress in the learning process. The assessments are appropriate for primary school children as they embrace the educational objective domains of Blooms taxonomy: psychomotor, affective and cognitive. The cognitive domain that is enhanced by formative assessments revolves around the comprehension, knowledge and ability to critically think about a subject. The psychomot or domain is all about the ability of the pupil to physically manipulate instruments in the learning process. The affective domain on the other hand relate to how learners are likely to react emotionally (Sadler 1998). Formative assessments incorporate all three Bloom’s Taxonomy domains in that they allow the pupil to develop not only recall skills, but also critical analysis skills in the learning process. There are two types of formative assessments according to Hall and Burke (2004). These are: planned formative assessments and interactive assessments. As the name suggests, planned formative assessments are those that are use to obtain tangible evidence on the way pupils think about a concept that they have been taught in class. These types of assessments are normally semi-formal and may be taken at the beginning or at the end of a certain topic. In these assessments, some assessment activities are prepared to furnish evidence that can be used to improve pupils’ lea rning. The information that is elicited from such an activity is used to gauge the level of understanding of the students and to structure instruction so that knowledge and skill development are enhanced (Tuttle 2009). Interactive assessment takes place during the interaction process between teacher and pupil. Hall and Burke (2004) describe this assessment as the one that includes incidental and ongoing assessments which arise from learning activities and it cannot be anticipated. This means that interactive assessments can occur at any time as the teacher and pupils are interacting in a learning setting (Black, Harrison and William 2003). This assessment aims at improving learning through mediation and intervention. The teacher may notice or recognize the learner’s thinking and can then respond to it appropriately. This kind of assessments is considered to be more pupil and teacher driven than it is curriculum driven. Unlike planned assessment that results in permanent infor mation, interactive assessment accrues information that is ephemeral (Sadler 1998). This means that the teacher can identify weak areas in the child’s learning and correct them quickly so as to avoid accumulated misconception on the learner’s side. Formative assessments can be in the form of observations, worksheets, pop quizzes, journals and diagnostic tests. Observation involves the instructor making observations about students’

How do Senor Flores, Senora Flores and Dr. Jean View this Situation Essay

How do Senor Flores, Senora Flores and Dr. Jean View this Situation from Totally Different Perspectives - Essay Example He also does not want to listen to the advice of Dr. Jean. The Latino’s belief in machismo makes Senor Flores feel offended if he listens to Dr. Jean’s advice. He thinks that his male ego is insulted. The perspective of Senora Flores on Alejandro’s situation is very fatalistic, or what the Latino’s term as fatalism. She feels that she is being punished by God that is why Alejandro is sick. She is suffering from inferiority complex and feels that she is being discriminated at the hospital for being a Latino and not speaking much. She is afraid that Alejandro will be discriminated too in school because he is sickly. Senora Flores feels overburdened by the responsibility of taking care of Alejandro. But at the same time, she believes that her mother should help her take care of Alejandro. She respects her mother, so much so that when she suggested that Alejandro is taken to an espiritista, she blindly followed her although she probably disagrees with her. Dr. Jean’s perspective of Alejandro’s situation is exactly the opposite of the views of the Flores family. She does not totally understand the Latino culture and beliefs; thus, resulting in misunderstandings with them. The first conflict is with regards to time. She dislikes the Flores’ disregard of time. She also feels that just because she is a woman, Senor Flores does not like to listen to her advice. She does not understand why the Flores’ had to consult an espiritista instead of just following her medical advice and give him his medicines. Dr. Jean is an example of a doctor who is quite detached to the family of her patient. She does not realize that it is important for a Latino family that they see some simpatia from their medical provider. Senora Flores chose to consult an espiritista when Alejandro was not getting better probably through the prodding of her mother.

Environmental Impact Of Leather Tanning Industry

Environmental Impact Of Leather Tanning Industry The global environment is gradually worsening as a result of the socio-economic activities of mankind. Leather tanning industry plays significant role in economy of a country through employment and export earnings; but resulting pollution from tanning process causing severe environmental degradation. Tanning is the process by which hides or skins are converted into leather. After removal of flesh and fur from the hide it is treated with chemicals which cross linked the microscopic collagen fibers to form a stable and durable leather product. A schematic diagram of tanning is presented and this indicates the type of waste stream generated from tanning process (Fig.1.1) (Harrison, 2001). Leather processing comprises of series of operations that can be classified as pre-tanning, in which hides or skins are cleaned; tanning process, which permanently stabilizes the hides and post-tanning or finishing operations, where final shape value is added for manufacturing of leather (Ramasami, Rao, Chandrababu, Parthasarathi, Rao, Gayathri and Sreeram, 1999). Production of leather from tanning of hides and skins has been an important activity since ancient times. For processing a ton of hide approximately 30-40 cubic meter (m3) of water is used (Suthanthararajan, Ravindranath, Chitra, Umamaheswari, Ramesh and Rajamani 2004). Currently, about 6.5 millions tons of wet salted hides and skins are processed worldwide annually. About 3.5 millions of various chemicals are used for leather processing. A considerable part of this amount is discharged into the effluent (Ludvik, 1996). Tanning of hides and skins by the usual tanning process is wholly a wet process from which a large volume of liquid waste is almost continuously discharged throughout the working hours of an industry. Usually soak waste, liming wastes and spent vegetable tan liquors are discharged intermittently (Song, Williams and Edyvean, 2000). It is approximated that 30-40 x 1010 liters of effluent is generated by worldwide annual processing of 9 x 109 kg hides and skins (Thanikaivelan, Jonnalagadda, Balachetran and Ramasami, 2004). Leather industry consumes a large amount of water so the availability of good quality water and the treatment of large amount of effluent are the two major issues. The tannery wastewater is a mixture of bio matter of hides and a large variety of organic and inorganic chemicals. Tanneries leave the wastewater usually contain organic and inorganic matter with high level of salinity, ammonia and organic nitrogenous pollutants and other toxic pollutants including sulphide and residues of chromium metal salt) (Ros and Gantar, 1998). Tannery effluents are characterized as highly colored, foul smelling with acidic and alkaline liquor (World Bank, 1998). Poor processing practices and use of unrefined conventional leather processing further aggravate the pollution problem. In tannery effluents presence of chromium and hydrogen sulfide formed due to sulfide are highly toxic to many living beings. Indiscriminate discharge of effluents into water bodies or open land causing contamination of surface and ground water in addition to degradation of flora and fauna of soil have direct impacts on agricultural land (Khawaja, Rasool, Fiaz and Irshad, 1995; Ramasami, Sreeram and Gayatri, 1997). The leather tanning industry significantly contributes to economy of a country. The major leather production centers in the world are found in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, China, India and Pakistan. Leather tanneries generate three type of waste including wastewater, solid waste and air emissions. So far, wastewater is considered as the most important environmental challenge faced by Pakistans tanneries (Iqbal, 1998). In Pakistan, tanneries are established both in formal and informal sector presently over 596 tanneries are established in the formal sector and equally large number of tanneries exists in the informal sector (ETPI, 2001). Increasing number of tanneries in Pakistan is to be considered as the major cause of environmental degradation because untreated effluents from tanneries are released into environment. Kasur district has more than 350 tanning and it has become the mean livelihood of most of residents. The present study focuses on identification environmental problems related to tanneries wastewater in Kasur through participatory action and involve local communities for self managed collective actions for application of locally available and cost effective wastewater treatment technologies within their industry premises. In this process participants learn wastewater treatment technologies through social learning process which is based on the principle of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“learning by doingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . Participatory research allows researchers to gain a better understanding of problem. Participatory GIS approach is used for the purpose of involving community and development of GIS database. Participatory GIS is a spatial decision making tool designed to utilize GIS technology with participatory approach in the perspective of needs and capabilities of communities that are involved through and affected by development projects. Novel community mapping and modeling methods linked to GIS for implementing community-based planning, have been studied and developed since the 1990s (Dunn, Atkins and Townsend, 1997; Abbott, Chambers, Dunn, Harris, DeMerode, Porter, Townsend and Weiner,1998; Sieber, 2006) and began to spread into China through international development projects (Cai, Zhu and Dai, 2001; McConchie and McKinnon, 2002; Wang, 2003). Participatory GIS technique encourages community participation and involves community in the production of GIS (Cinderby, 1999). Participatory GIS generally resulted from the combination of participatory methods i.e. Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) with geo-spatial technologies (Rambaldi, Kyem, Mbile, McCall and Weiner, 2005). Within this broad range of approaches different techniques have been employed in specific locations and projects to investigate specific issues or encourage participation from particular groups or stakeholders. It has been a commonality of many participatory GIS that the process of participation (including the collection and collation of information) has often been emphasized in the process more than the technical utilization of GIS which requires access to specific expertise (McCall, 2004). Geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based system for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, and displayi ng geographic data for solving spatial complex resource planning and management problems (Densham, 1991). In GIS framework data is categorized into spatial data and attribute data. The data is stored in current GIS within two separate databases one for spatial data and one for attribute data. In most GIS representation of spatial data is in vector (points, lines, and polygons) and raster (pixels or grids) forms (Burrough, 1986). These conventional vector and raster representation of geographic features in GIS focus on database management including query and spatial analysis (Rhind, 1990). In the development of a GIS database, different features are processed and stored in separate data layers representing geographic themes. All data layers in the same GIS database are required to be geocoded to a standard coordinate system such as State Plane coordinate system. Therefore, a GIS database can be conceptualized as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“sandwichedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  data layers containing different types of geographic features, registered to a common base map. GIS store, manage, and analyze geographically referenced data and devices that measure geographic location such as Global Positioning System (GPS) provides data on location in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude required for the GIS (Deichmann and Wood, 2001). Participatory action research combines aspects of popular education, community based research, and social action. Participatory action research is collaborative processes in which researchers work with community to identify an area of concern and community take part to generate knowledge about the issue, formulate plan and carry out actions meant to address the issue in substantial way (Brydon, 2001). Participatory research approach empowers community members to collaborate with researchers to better understand their own problems and to find effective and viable solutions. Participants in the research process can identify a problem, collect and analyze relevant information, and act upon it in order to develop solutions and to promote social and/or political transformation (Selener, 1997). Participatory research represents a distinct set of practices or approaches to generate knowledge, including a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods (e.g., participant observation, personal interviews, focus groups, and participatory needs assessment surveys). Treatment of tannery effluents has been searched for physical, chemical and biological methods. The biological treatment, especially the use of microorganisms to improve polluted water quality is effective and widespread due to environmentally and economically as compared to chemical treatment. Effective Microorganisms or EM Technology is selected for the treatment of tannery wastewater. The concept of EM Technology was developed by Professor Teruo Higa, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. EM consists of beneficial naturally occurring microorganisms that have a reviving action on humans, animals, and the natural environment. EM is a mixed culture of selected species of microorganisms including predominantly lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, photosynthetic bacteria, actinomycetes and other types of organisms which are mutually compatible and can coexist in liquid culture (Higa, 1991; Higa and Wididana, 1991). The ultimate goal of this research is to break psychological, social, technical and economic barriers in technology adoption by tanneries owners and workers. So that tanneries owners and workers are enabled for self organized collective wastewater management within their working environment. Through this process community participation is anticipated in all stages of action research including problem identification, data collection, participatory GIS and application of wastewater treatment technology. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objectives of my study are as follows: Preparation of GIS database of small tanneries through participation of stakeholders in Kasur. Demarcation of small tanneries and wastewater channels discharging from tanneries through participatory GIS mapping. Identification and selection of locally available and effective wastewater treatment technologies. Laboratory experimentation to check the efficacy of selected wastewater treatment technology. Develop simplified methods to increase social acceptance of waste minimization techniques through community participation.

Management And Leadership Essay -- Business Management

Management and Leadership Paper Each person in a company brings his or her own experiences, values, and beliefs to the company. All the experiences, values, and beliefs combined formulate the organizational culture of the company. A sick organizational culture can cause failure in a company. In a company with a healthy organizational culture employees work together to ensure the company reaches its goals. This paper will discuss the roles leadership and management play in a healthy organizational culture. How the four functions of management support and maintain a healthy organizational culture will also be addressed. In addition, strategies that leaders can use to promote a healthy culture will also be reviewed. Each company has a vision. A leader helps others to see the vision and inspire them to make the vision reality. Bateman and Snell (2007) assert that leadership is ineffective without a vision, employees or teams can establish a vision for jobs or an organization, and many people are more focused on carrying out his or her duties each day. Even some managers do not have a clear vision. When looking at an organization’s culture, one sees the motivation given employees to achieve the organization’s goals. One way a leader motivates employees is to lead by example. For example, if a leader states that company policy is company vehicles are not to be used for personal business, the same leader must also abide by the policy. When an employee observes a leader not following a company policy, the employee is less inclined to follow the policy. From time to time vendors will impart such items as baseball or rodeo tickets to purchasing personnel at XYZ, Inc. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the tickets are accept... ...omote a healthy organizational culture. The four functions of management play a role in supporting and maintaining a company’s culture. A healthy organizational culture will go beyond the every day duties and ensure company goals are achieved. The values, beliefs, and experiences of each employee blend to create a unique environment within a company. Each person has his or her part in helping the organizational culture. References Adler, H. (2007, December). Key leader characteristics. Leadership Excellence, 24(12), 5. Retrieved May 6, 2008 from ProQuest database. Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. A. (2007). Management: The new competitive landscape (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin. Bova, M. (2008, March 18). Are you a leader or a manager? EzineArticles. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from http://ezinearticles.com/index.php?Are-You-A-Leader-Or-A-Manager?&id=1047476

Horse Jumping

Horse jumping Many people may say that it’s a dangerous sport and that you have to be crazy for doing it but, after they try it once they won’t leave it. Risking your life is worth it when you find passion on and over the horse, finding lots of new, rich and encouraging experiences that will make you grow as a person and as a rider; as, when you jump, you need to be focused, you even forget about problems you may have, it helps you not being a rancorous person. When you jump once you want to jump twice, the sensation is amazing, and after a while it becomes addictive; that’s something I’ve learned from this wonderful activity. Horse jumping doesn’t have an exact date of beginning, but we can say that after the second half of the XVIII century this sport was practiced during the hunting activity. Since then the horse’s breeds have been taken care of, within the proper horse training; all of this to get a better speed and physic ability for jumping and getting the actual bases for modern horse jumping; nowadays there are two types of horse jumping contests, one that is based on jumping a single obstacle starting in 1. 0 meters high, and the other one that is based on jumping several obstacles (mostly ten) starting in 0. 70 meters, over to 1. 70 meters. You can learn how to recover from a fall (physically and metaphorically), even though it’s pretty hard; because for being successful in any activity you need to learn how to step up and continue with the same courage you started, I can say that with horse jumping I have proved to myself that the phrase â€Å"what doesn’t kill you m akes you stronger† is absolutely right, after falling down you need to go over the same obstacle with more concentration and strength. That’s how many world champions have gotten were they got, as Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil, who was claimed champion in 1998 with his horse Gandini Lianos, or as Jos Lansink, who was claimed champion in 2006 with his horse Cavalor; they are a couple of the latest world champions in a contest that is done every 4 years and is organized by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation). The contests are ualified based on penalties, which you get when your horse refuse to an obstacle, when you confuse the sequence, when you fall down, or when you jump over the obstacle but one of the wood sticks falls down; each of this penalties is worth 4 points, when you get 12 points in penalties you are disqualified from the contest; if there is a tie (which normally happens), the time that each of the riders lasted is taken care of and the one with shortest time wins. Horse jumping shows you how to get rid of any kind of heart feelings, I have learned that after been betrayed by anyone you need to forgive them and try it again, been more careful, but trusting on them after all, when your horse refuses to jump you need to try it again been more focused and having all the control on your hands. That’s how Alberto Larraguibel broke the horse jumping record in Vina del Mar with his horse Huaso jumping an obstacle of 2. 47 meters high; there had been higher records, but none of them have been in an official competition; the FEI has established that the next world’s record should be over the 2. 49 meters high. I used to do horse jumping about half a year ago, I used to do it for a long time, and this activity has proved me that I’m able to do things that I wouldn’t have imagined I could; it has helped me to get rid of some fears that I had, and basically to risk myself for discovering lots of new things and sensations that the world can offer me. For doing horse jumping you need to have the horse riding pants, a security helmet, a short whip, horseback riding boots, riding gloves, and for preparing the horse you will need a bridal halter, the horse seat equipment and the horse seat, as an external equipment you will need the obstacle. The sensation of being on the air over such a big animal, after a while becomes addictive; when you jump all the adrenaline or fear from the preparing is vanished, and after doing it for the first time not only the preparation fear is gone and the post jumping satisfaction is amazing, you feel capable of doing more, and within that, lots of your life fears are gone; in my experience before doing this I was scared from horses, but I ended up loving them, loving the sensation, and been more open minded in oing other kind of riskful activities that can offer you invaluable sensations; I think horses are beautiful animals, and besides their enchantment I am completely amazed about the fact of controlling such a big animal to even make them jump. I’ve learned to love nature and all the wonderful things you can find on it, this is the principal reason why this is my passion. Bibliography: en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Show_jumping www. horsesport. org/ www. ecuadorecuestre. com/†¦ /F EI_WORLD_CHALLENGE_DE_ADIESTRAMIENTO_2010

American Luxury Brand Case Studies Essay

Arrowood Times are not promising for boutique American wineries, with many closing, plowing under their fields, or selling | | | |out to larger interests who have the resources to survive the down market. The worldwide glut of wine grapes from a | | | |succession of bumper harvests, increased competition from bottom tier and lower cost imports (among them Chile, Australia and| | | |South Africa) has California in a tailspin. There is also a Californian producer nicknamed â€Å"Two Buck Chuck† selling wines at | | | |US-3/bottle, 10 million bottles sold in the USA so far this year alone. Another indicator is the fall in demand for organic | | | |produce. During the boom years, consumers were prepared to pay premium prices for certified organic fruits and vegetables. | | | |Only the most efficient and well-managed farms will survive the collapse of that segment of market, which also supplies | | | |grapes to the organic winemakers. | | | | | | | |Arrowood typifies the small boutique Sonoma winery: in business 15 years, their name made on well-regarded wines in low | | | |production from a beautiful state-of-the-art facility. The brand is always fully subscribed for its yearly limited edition | | | |bottlings. The company cannot surrender its premium cachet by backing off on pricing, which begins at /bottle from the | | | |winery, higher at retail. Two years ago Arrowood unsuccessfully attempted to position high-end Syrah as a new trend, charging| | | |prices comparable to high-end Cabernets. The public was not so easily convinced. Demand is down for their commercial | | | |production, and today they have inventory of Syrahs, which can’t be offered at less than originally asked, without devaluing | | | |the brand. | | | | | | | |Best & Co. | | | | | | | | Best & Co., originally a multi-storied department store on Lower Fifth Avenue, New York City, stayed in business for nearly a| | | |century before closing its doors in the 1960s. Oriented exclusively for children, Best relaunched two years ago under the new| | | |stewardship of Susie Hilfiger. The legacy brand was renowned for its fine quality merchandise and exceptional customer | | | |service, founded upon the idea that children are important. Hilfiger opened a Connecticut store, resurrecting the original | | | |logos and interior design, and subsequently added a high-end boutique in Bergdorf Goodman’s Manhattan location. In addition, | | | |the company has both online and catalog channels for offering their fine line of house brands and imports. | | | | | | | |Blackglama This Seattle-based fur cooperative established its brand with the highly regarded â€Å"What Becomes a Legend Most? † | | | |campaign, almost thirty years ago. A spinoff of the parent brand named American Legend Mink, Blackglama created its brand | | | |perception by associations with personalities of international stature, among them Callas, Dietrich, Garbo, Hepburn, Loren | | | |and Pavarotti, captured in artistic black and white photography. Since 2002 the brand has reinforced its franchise with the | | | |relaunch of its classic campaign featuring an international supermodel. Throughout its brand life, Blackglama has been | | | |uncompromising in price, sophistication and quality, always holding to the top tier. A true American luxury brand. | | | | | | | |Cadillac Cadillac Motors, which later became a division of General Motors, dates from the early days of mass-produced | | | |automobiles. It is the oldest surviving American luxury car brand. Once a synonym for the highest quality in vehicles, by the| | | |1950s the brand had become the favorite of Texan oil millionaires, Arab potentates and Elvis Presley, who habitually gave | | | |them away by the dozens to his entourage. Cadillac began to lose market share in the 70s with increased competition from | | | |Ford’s Lincoln division, and the introduction of other luxury vehicles –primarily of Japanese manufacture- who marketed to a | | | |younger, newly-affluent demographic. Cadillac unsuccessfully responded by attempting a downsized model, Cimarron, 1982-88, | | | |driving brand perception lower. Today, Cadillac is perceived as retiree’s car, while it retains some small segment of the | | | |limousine business. A partnership with Pininfarina 1987-1993 produced a visionary prototype, Alante, intended to compete with| | | |the Mercedes SL. Cadillac launched the Escalade, a hybrid SUV in 2000. In today’s hyper-competitive environment with a | | | |climate of weakened sales on all fronts, the glory days of a top-tier luxury brand seem to be history. In an attempt to | | | |recapture the magic, this summer Cadillac released a ,000 limited-production 2-seat sportscar, the XLR. | | | | | | | |Callaway Clubs This manufacturer of high end golf clubs since 1982 has a reputation as the best in the business. They scored | | | |a major product success story in the 1990s with their signature top-of-the-line â€Å"Big Bertha† titanium driver, a technological| | | |innovation which transformed the game through its distance-enhancing features. They continue to expand their line of clubs, | | | |but low-end brand extensions such as active wear, luggage and footwear prevent Callaway from reaching the highest luxury | | | |tier. | | | | | | | |Harley-Davidson The iconic American motorcycle sustains a proud history, enduring product quality and a high price point. In | | | |the face of increased competition in 1987, Harley sent a management team to Japan to learn about superior production | | | |techniques. Today’s median customer is 55 years old, a buyer who recognizes that the brand personifies the outlaw | | | |sensibilities, romance of the open road, and the American Dream of unbridled freedom. However, numerous brand extensions and | | | |licenses, many of them downmarket, i. e. cigarettes and clocks, have kept Harley in the middle levels of the luxury category. | | | | | | | |Hamilton An American watchmaker, founded in 1892 in Lancaster, PA, known for innovative case design and watch technology. | | | |Hamilton today is a member of The Swatch Group, the largest watch producer and distributor in the world, thus losing some of | | | |its uniquely American imprint. Association with Hollywood movies like â€Å"Men In Black†, and an entry level price point of under| | | |0 keeps the company short of luxury. But superior collectible designs and a high historical profile, including introducing | | | |Pulsar, the world’s first digital watch, suggest a brand occasionally skirting the luxury franchise. | | | | | | | |Hummer A classic instance of brand hijacking, where consumers attach attributes to a product that its manufacturer never | | | |intended. The Humvee originated as a government contract vehicle, designed for the military. Survivalists, conservatives, and| | | |yuppies adopted it as their signature icon vehicle, with some cachet attached to its 0,000 price tag. It has since become the| | | |Rapper car of choice, and a popular status vehicle. After unexpected market demand, Hummer – an Indiana-based division of GM-| | | |recently introduced two low-cost, downsized models in the ,000 range, thus moving the brand below its prior designation as | | | |premium luxury. | | | | | | | |Hyatt An interesting attempt in progress to enter the luxury lodging space in Europe. Hyatt’s new five-star Park Hyatt | | | |Paris-Vendome hotel hopes to compete with properties such as the Ritz, Georges V, and Au Duc de Lorraine. They break from the| | | |tradition of Belle Epoque style, relying on ultramodern design, younger staff, while continuing to emphasize first-class | | | |service. It’s a brave undertaking, what with their existing perception as a middle-level American hospitality brand. It takes| | | |several years to establish a hotel property, so the jury will be out for some time. | | | | | | | |Kiehl’s A family-owned pharmacy, in business since 1851 at the same single NYC location, manufacturing its own vast, | | | |proprietary line of skin care products. The company has built some distribution at other retail outlets. Brand image relies | | | |on generic style packaging and no advertising, a high service and satisfaction proposition, product integrity and community | | | |involvement. Kiehl’s narrow product focus, body care products, occupies a space at the mid-level price point, thus holding | | | |it, perception-wise, a tier below the luxury category, despite department store outlets in the luxury cosmetics area. In | | | |recent history the brand has gained a cult following in the entertainment industry, and stars have consequently promoted the | | | |product line. In response to improved demand, Kiehl’s recently began a retail expansion in 8 cities with their own | | | |storefronts, designed to resemble a traditional pharmacy. Kiehl’s also created an equine line of show-quality standard | | | |grooming products for horses and ponies. The association with the equestrian world adds some higher value perception to the | | | |brand, despite its mid-range price point and no-image packaging. | | | | | | | |Lincoln This ubiquitous sub-brand was created by Ford to compete with Cadillac’s luxury franchise. It has since supplanted | | | |Cadillac as preferred limousine brand and is now primarily associated with the ‘town car’, on which most high-end car service| | | |fleets are built. Two years ago Lincoln attempted to create a hybrid fusion vehicle called the Blackwood, which one critic | | | |called â€Å"neither practical pickup nor luxury-car stand-in†, and the model was in release only one year before being | | | |discontinued. Lincoln has benefited from the launch of a successful SUV called Navigator. | | | | | | | |NetJets This company is the premier provider in the private jet transportation category, with the largest market share, over | | | |fifty percent worldwide. NetJets sells partial or full shares in new jet ownership to corporate clients and individuals with | | | |a high net worth of million or more. The business model is a unique one, with a number of avenues for tax advantage, and with| | | |a system of buyback and plan conversion guarantees starting at the low end for about 5,000 per year. NetJets is wholly owned | | | |by Berkshire Hathaway, whose boss Warren Buffet was originally a satisfied NetJets customer. He eventually purchased the | | | |entire company, and his deep pockets back the undertaking. NetJets dominates the category, with a fleet of over 450 new, | | ||luxurious aircraft of varying capacities and distance capabilities, a sister company in Europe, in-house safety and training | | | |programs and its own team of meteorologists and dispatchers. No other jet transportation provider in the world can compare. | | | |In fact, competing firms are struggling with older aircraft and anaemic balance sheets. As a strategy to take more business | | | |from the smaller charter companies, NetJets adopted the Marquis Jet Card, a lower price point, lower minimum dollar | | | |entry-level commitment available in units as small as 0,000. The card has performed significantly better than projected. The | | | |company markets itself as the utmost in safety, comfort and security, partnering with Ritz Carlton for service staff | | | |training, and the Mayo Clinic for on-demand medical resources. Advertising and brand messaging are quite confused, delivering| | | |multiple concepts often at odds with each other. But advertising probably does not figure greatly in NetJets’ success. The | | | |most frequently heard challenge to their sales people concerns high cost; an inflexible and uncompromising pricing policy has| | | |stood the brand well. Plus, Buffet’s ownership is enough to convey the distinction and premium luxury prestige conferred by | | | |association with the world’s second richest man. | | | | | | | |Panavision This company has an unblemished 50 year reputation for providing the finest quality cameras and lenses for the | | | |motion picture industry. While not widely known to the general public, Panavision’s reach is universal and international in | | | |the film community, regarded as the best in its category. | | | | | | | |Ritz Carlton The respected hotel chain was acquired in 1998 by Marriott, after a period of expansion into new locations and | | | |properties. The original Boston hotel was immortalized by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the short story â€Å"The Diamond As Big As The | | | |Ritz†. Upholding a standard of excellence in service, the company motto is â€Å"We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and | | | |Gentlemen. † The company prides itself on its Gold Standards, a highly refined system of directives which each employee must | | | |know and understand, a proven technique developed to sustain the brand’s preeminence. Ritz Carlton partners with NetJets in | | | |flight service training, an indication of the exacting standards this fine business model upholds. | | | | | | | |Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Founded in 1987 by Caroline Rose Hunt of Dallas, Texas. â€Å"The moment guests set foot in one of our | | | |hotels or resorts they enter a private world of rare and refined luxury. At the heart of each property is our dedication to | | | |uncompromising quality and exemplary personal service. † The winner of numerous industry and media awards, Rosewood has trophy| | | |properties in the USA, the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East. A solid premium luxury brand. | | | | | | | |St. Regis The premium luxury division of the Starwood Group, who also run the Westin and W brands, among a range of niche | | | |hospitality groups. Another division, called The Luxury Collection, falls lower in the actual luxury category, bringing | | | |together over 70 international properties, many from the Sheraton Group. St. Regis is a good example of a counterfeit brand, | | | |who bases its reputation on a single legacy property built in 1904. The actual property was acquired by Starwood in 1998, and| | | |the parent company soon added properties under the St. Regis brand name in nine other cities. The flagship NY property and | | | |its affiliates worldwide do reflect the highest standards of hospitality, and so far in their short history deserve the | | | |luxury designation. | | | | | | | |Technicolor The company rose to prominence providing the highest quality in celluloid film stock and processing in an 80-year| | | |franchise, as unchallenged category leader. Technicolor has high associations with the Golden Age of post WWII cinema. The | | | |company has adapted much of its business to new technologies, but it may be the end of their brand domination owing to | | | |inroads made by competitive digital imaging providers. | | | | | | | |Tiffany The quintessential American brand, with old world style and Beaux Arts luxury associations dating back to 1837. | | | |Tiffany’s first store opened in NYC with a policy that every article be marked with a non-negotiable selling price, | | | |accompanied by a guarantee of exceptional quality and customer satisfaction. The company soon innovated the signature blue | | | |bag and sales by catalog. Towards the turn of the century Louis Comfort Tiffany further grew the brand’s prestige with | | | |breathtaking Art Nouveau experimentations in lamps and glasswork. Robber barons relied on Tiffany for everything from fine | | | |china, leaded glass windows, silver goods and engraved stationery to opulent gems. During his 30 year tenure, the legendary | | | |Jean Schlumberger added to the company’s lustre with his elegant and sophisticated jewelry, which combined brilliant | | | |craftsmanship and superior taste in materials. Tiffany’s democratization began in the 1950s when Truman Capote’s story, | | | |â€Å"Breakfast at Tiffany’s† turned the brand into a household word. As Schlumberger’s career began to wane in the 1970s, | | | |Tiffany’s classical glamour began to fade, and the firm sought renewal by releasing a signature fragrance, a puzzling and | | | |incongruous brand extension which seems at odds with the original franchise. Other attempts to create new magic for the brand| | | |include the licensing of designs by Paloma Picasso, whose family name carries the cachet of fine art; but her designs for | | | |silver earrings brought brand perception downmarket, as did comparable designs by Elsa Peretti at a similar low price point. | | | |Tiffany’s history barely reconciles today with its current state: a brand gone slightly south, with a faint memory of a | | | |company who once popularized the iconic myth of The Tiffany Diamond. However, Tiffany’s recent financial performance is a | | | |success story. The stock price has gone from to in the last 12 months, validating the mass-merchandising strategy with | | | |bottom-line results. | | | | | | | |Wolfgang Puck A gradual downmarket slide. Puck’s origins as a celebrity chef in California led to his first brand extension | | | |as author of a best-selling cookbook. Excerpted from his web site, â€Å"†¦the culinary empire he has built since the early 1980s | | | |consists of: the group of fine dining restaurants through which he first rose to prominence; his extensive catering and | | | |events business, which gains international attention through its flagship event, the annual Governors Ball following the | | | | Oscars; and Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., the corporation that controls the Wolfgang Puck ® brand in areas as diverse as | | | |casual and quick-service dining, consumer packaged foods, cookware, book publishing, television, radio and internet | | | |programming, and other franchising, licensing, and merchandising activities. † Puck’s presence in packaged frozen food | | | |products, his industrial-sized Las Vegas location and 75 fast food airport franchises weigh heavily on his former luxury | | | |cachet. He is no longer luxury, simply a high-end mass-market conglomerate. | | | | | | | |Harry Winston Sparse, well-chosen high-ticket, high-visibility advertising and promotion has helped this premium luxury brand| | | |maintain its associations with opulence, new money, and decadence. While Winston has the biggest and most valuable stones, | | | |its designs are no longer considered the most remarkable artistically, simply extravagant, perhaps a bit vulgar. Harry | | | |Winston Ultimate Timepieces, founded in 1998 and based in Geneva, has introduced the new ,000 Opus One Tourbillon watch, | | | |enclosed in a platinum casing, garlanded in gold and diamonds, with Swiss movement. The parent company will always be | | | |associated with the Hope Diamond, which it acquired in 1949 and later donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Could it be | | | |that the brand is tainted or dragged downmarket by associations with rappers, celebrity athletes, Texan oil millionaires and | | | |curvaceous film starlets on Oscar night?

Dress Code For Teachers Essays

Dress Code For Teachers Essays Dress Code For Teachers Paper Dress Code For Teachers Paper The currently imposed dress code standard by some states for their elementary and high school teachers is one of the issues faced by the US education system as of today. Drafted primarily because of the need to establish and fortify the sense of professionalism among the faculty members, the dress code policy is also believed to address the growing need to instill formality among the students. It has been observed that students nowadays constantly cross the borders of appropriate dressing in schools . Some students have been reprimanded by school authorities for wearing provocative and revealing outfit inside the school confines. The wearing of plunging necklines, miniskirts, flip flops and stiletto heels have been the subject of concern because these outfits distract other students, hence, learning and the focus on the school lessons are compromised. Outbursts of violence are also stemmed out from the non-existence of uniforms in the public educational system. Because there are no uniforms, there is no way of immediately distinguishing which are the bona fide students from outsiders. The US Department of Education’s Manual of School Uniforms, was disseminated to every single school district in the US as an answer to the above mentioned problem. This policy attracted various opinions and has sparked a number of debates among students, faculty members and concerned parents. But, the heated debates are not only limited to the issue of student’s attire. The teachers’ ways of dressing have also been a hot topic and this has prompted several states to require its educators to adhere to a strict dress code. Some states require teachers to wear uniforms. Throughout the years, the term appropriate dress has always had been given different interpretations by generations. What was appropriate during the colorful hippie 70’s may not be acceptable for today’s black suit loving generation. The standard of formality, however, is being bended with its limits stretched. The phrases â€Å"dressing appropriately† or â€Å"dressing professionally† don’t always mean the same among people . The issue of certain lacrosse players wearing flip flops attending a formal White House function caused some sort of a justification for some professionals not to dress up while in their respective professional environment. An outfit generally deemed appropriate for a date can now be worn when going to work. Definitely, there’s a vague line between what’s appropriate and what’s not. And this vagueness is what’s causing the confusion. Recently, supporters of the said teacher dress codes passionately say that teachers, as mentors, chiefly serve as role models for their students and should therefore emanate an equally positive attitude through their physical appearance, e. g. attires. The teachers’ choice of fashion should exhibit professionalism and respect, not the current fad. These supporters also argue that uniformity in the quality and type of teacher clothing can boost the educators’ as well as the students’ morale and respect for their professional field. On the other hand, opponents argue that these teacher dress codes harm the education sector’s morale by mistreating teachers and that strict dress code/uniform requirements violate rights given to teachers under the U. S. Constitution. In a mentoring environment, it is very important that there is an established role model. In a school, the teachers are the main role models for the students. The students look up to the teachers and this is important in developing the students’ sense of behavior. Therefore, it is imperative that the teachers exemplify all the proper behaviors and ways. Aside from teaching skills, the teachers’ behavior is also very important. Generally, fresh-out-of-college teachers are the ones having difficulties in determining which clothes are applicable to the classroom setting from what are not. Before they were the ones seated in the classroom chairs, listening to the teacher. They had the complete freedom of wearing what they want, be it skimpy and trendy, but now they are transformed to being the more modest and professional educators teaching in front of a classroom. It is understandable that in this young stage of their professional career, they have not yet shed their stylish and trend conforming days. Inappropriately dressed teachers are especially prevalent in elementary schools, where these entry level teachers are traditionally trained. Not all school districts impose teacher dress codes, however. Some school principals customarily reprimand students and teachers alike for dress-code violations and fashion infractions while other school officials are not too tight about their student and teacher’s fashion sense. School districts that do impose such policies are very particular with what not to wear. For example, school authorities are currently implementing dress for their faculty members and staff in Arizona. They said that they want to set an example for students. Sexually provocative attires like scanty shorts, mini skirts, offensive tops, flip-flops and T-shirts are banned. Tempes Thew Elementary School as well as the Chandler Unified School District is strict in implementing the dress codes. One school authority was quoted saying that if â€Å"they (teachers) could mow the lawn, exercise or go out for the evening in what theyre wearing, its likely not appropriate for school† . Pro-dress code teachers and school officials believe that dressing in a very professional manner commands respect from their students. People in authority are expected to dress appropriately always. Teachers say that since they are expected to dress neatly and professionally, they should be faithful in adhering to the proper dress code standards. The Arizona Republic reports a certain Brian Black, who is one of the state’s veteran teachers, says, If I wish a student to dress appropriately, it is my responsibility to reflect such (a) standard†¦ If I wish a student to conduct himself or herself in an socially acceptable manner, especially in the area regarding use of appropriate language when in contact with others, it is my responsibility to also reflect such (a) standard. (Karina Bland, Sept. 13, 2005). Also, the Wake county Public School System has issued this memo: All faculty and employees of the Wake County Public School System serve as role models for the students with whom they work and as leaders in the community. Consistent with these roles, all faculty and employees shall dress in a manner and have an appearance that is appropriate and professional in light of the environment in which they work, the duties of their jobs and the impressionable youth they serve. Supervisors and school-level administrators are authorized to interpret this policy and their interpretations shall be given deference. (Wake County Public Schools) The response of students to teachers like this is positive, as the students think that their teachers are really inspired to teach them. A profound effect on students was also observed in schools strictly implementing the teacher dress codes. Students emulate their teachers. Because teachers want to appear more professional, and they want to positively address the nationwide clamor for strict professionalism, our educators and school administrators are dressing more businesslike. Certainly, the positive effects brought about by the teacher dress codes have encouraged more and more school districts to follow suit. But opponents of this policy have also argued and voiced out their opinions regarding the matter. Some teachers cite that the dress codes violate their academic freedom and freedom of choice. No long term studies and researches that aims to assess the school uniforms and dress codes’ effectiveness with respect to its supposed effect of improving student’s behavior have been conducted by any research body. But still, supporters say that the implementation of dress code policies will eventually enhance schools’ educational achievement. These policies may even help in developing student behaviors. There are certain potential benefits that students will gain from these policies. Some teachers do find the very idea of implementing dress codes insulting, as if teachers don’t know how to properly dress themselves. Definitely, this issue has raised a lot of other sub-issues: whether the implementation itself is appropriate, should it be implemented on a national level, should the dress codes and uniform policy should include faculty members, or what defines inappropriate dressing. The interim spokesman for the American Association of School Administrators, Bruce Hunter, said, For us, its a local issue. Some people feel more comfortable with certain styles, and you have to see what dress does to the learning environment. † . This position of the AASA resulted in the school districts’ different takes and views on the matter. School districts consider it their prerogative if they would indeed implement the policy or if they would not. It is also the school district’s prerogative what to consider as inappropriate. Also, the school districts with more aggressive and opinionated teachers coupled with more tolerant school administrators tend to be more lax in their dress code policies, or they don’t have a dress code policy at all. The variations in the policies of respective school districts results in confusion as to what is generally forbidden.