Case Study: Performance Management at Intermountain Healthcare

Kuan-Chung (Bill) Wu HPM540: Professor Kamke HPM540: Case Study 3: Performance Management at Intermountain Healthcare 1. What is your assessment of the Performance Management system developed at Intermountain Healthcare? – The Performance Management (PM) system developed by Intermountain has become a model for many healthcare organizations. Intermountain’s PM system includes the following elements: 1) Identifying six most important performance criteria, 2) Developing goals for different groups within the organization, and 3) implementing the goals by creating an incentive compensation scheme.This PM system design has proven to be effective in many perspective, ranging from individual staff to administration and to the organization as a whole. First and most importantly, this PM system aligns Intermoutain’s mission and values/commitments to its employees and their performances. Their employees and administration do not just talk about their values, they live those values – committing to best practice with quality and accountability.Secondly, this PM system is effective in regards of beneficial and useful as development tool and administrative tool. The system not only allows administration to accountably designed, implemented, reached, and evaluated the goals for different groups in the organization, but also allows employees to engaged and contribute organizational goals by developing their career and earning incentives. As a result, different groups in the organization were able to remain focused on accomplishing all the goals as a whole team.Lastly, most employees in Intermountain had positive and fair views for the PM system. For example, employees in Intermountain expressed embarrassment, rather than complaints of not getting incentives, when they did not reach a certain objective, even it was missed by less than 1%. Lastly, this PM system allowed administration and management team at Intermountain to effectively and accurately m easure employee performance, such as using balanced scorecard and data shown in Exhibit 8 and 12, as well as the cost of providing services.The PM system created by Intermountain has served to be a model for healthcare organizations to face future challenges due to the Affordable Care Act as well as other changes in the nature of running a healthcare business. Lastly, they were able to realize the goal of recruiting and retaining the best employees. 2. In what ways could it enhance or detract from the organization's strategic objectives? – There were many ways this method could enhance the organization’s strategic objectives.First, the important performance dimensions were identified – these constituted the big picture of the organization strategy and allowed the big picture to flow all the way down to every individual staff. Everyone in the organization could all know about organization’s objectives and commit to achieving them. Moreover, as described in a the section of Clinical Goals, this system allowed the goals of five dimensions of performances to flow in a topdown fashion, the goals for the Clinical Goals were developed in a bottom-up fashion.This enabled the organization to have a continuous circle of performance management loop similar to Figure 10-1 in the textbook, which shows a linkage from organizational strategies to feedbacks collected from organizational results. The ways that this system would detract from organization’s strategic objective is the finance for implementing these strategies, as mentioned in last section of the article. The clinical performance improvement initiative had resulted in revenue losses.If Intermountain did not have enough cash on hand, this performance management system would not work so efficiently. The other way that could detract the strategic objective is that data could be manipulated to make the performances 1|Page Kuan-Chung (Bill) Wu HPM540: Professor Kamke looked well on th e graph/table/figures. This is because the incentives is generated by good data, and it is very easy for these data to be manipulated. 3. How are physician incentives at Intermountain unique? Why did they take a ifferent approach to physician performance as compared to other employees? – Physician incentives at Intermountain are unique because physicians are divided into two groups (employed and non-employed aligned) and incentive plans designed for each group have different programs. For employed physicians, three approaches were implemented for incentives: 1) Peer pressure, in which open discussion where held to examine physicians’ performance, 2) Public Recognition, in which best practice was recognized at the corporate level, and 3) monetary incentives for meeting clinical standards.For non-employed, aligned physicians, who accounts for 2/3 all physicians using Intermountain, the organization has adopted the strategy to engage these physicians through peer-to-peer competition and a reliance on academic literature and internal data in a given clinical area. Here we can see that there are a lot of physician communication and engagement for supporting physicians to receive incentives, which are different approaches than other employees such as managers and staffs who earns incentives through achieving individual and corporate level goals.In my opinion, physicians have their incentives different than just monetary incentives is because health care is a service business and physicians are the centers for providing different kinds of services to patients. In many cases, physicians are the decision makers who may influence the outcome of these services. Therefore, it is essential for physicians to know what each other is doing with transparent and evidence-based communications so the effective services can be learned and implemented by different physicians.Moreover, the increased communication would enhance the aspect of coordinated care which would help both the physician and organizations to reduce the cost of their services. The other reason that different approaches were implemented for physicians might be because they have already been earning high levels of compensation and need something different than monetary incentives, in contrast with those who are in healthcare administration. 4. How might this system also improve the performance appraisal process? –Performance appraisals are used to assess an employee’s performance and provide a platform for feedback about past, current, and future performance expectations. In Intermountain’s performance management system, there is a continuous goal development and implementation, as well as feedbacks to the senior management. The senior management team then provides recommendations for the group that develops the organization’s goal to make sure what the organization expects for everyone. In other words, the expectations, whether they are past, curren t, or future, are transparent to all employees.Another aspect that I believe this system helps to improve the performance appraisal process in its uses. The textbook states that organizations generally use performance appraisal process in two conflicting ways – administrative and developmental. However, Intermountain’s performance management system seemed to resolve this conflicting issue by its incentive compensation scheme. As described by Dan Zuhlke, the Vice President of Intermountain HR, the potential bonus or incentive is based on the fulfillment of the combination of individual level goals and corporate level goals.This helps to solve the conflict of uses because both administrative and developmental actions can be accomplished simultaneously under this system. Lastly, under the physician incentive system, open discussions and peer-to-peer competition allowed physicians to gain constructive feedback or improvement ideas from others. The physician incentive syste m essentially served as a virtual platform for care givers to learn what the expectations are. 2|Page

Case Study Economics †Microsoft and Monopoly Essay

Microsoft has monopoly in PC operating systems, Windows operating systems which are used` in more than 80% of Intel based PC’s. This market has high technological barriers. Threat to Microsoft is not from new operating systems but from alternate products such as browsers, which are new softwares that can be used with multiple operating systems and can also act as an alternative platform to which applications can be written. This posed a threat to Windows monopoly and perhaps its long-term existence. Initially Microsoft had tried to subdue competition by asking for explicit market sharing agreements with competitors (such as Netscape). A failure to do so, allegedly, led Microsoft to adopt anti-competitive strategies. This led to a set of consolidated civil actions against Microsoft in 1994 by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and twenty U.S. states. DoJ alleged that Microsoft abused monopoly power in its handling of operating system sales and web browser sales. Issues: The issue central to the case was whether Microsoft was allowed to bundle its flagship Internet Explorer (IE) web browser software with its Microsoft Windows operating system. Bundling them together is alleged to have been responsible for Microsoft’s victory in the browser wars (specifically Netscape) as every Windows user was forced to have a copy of Internet Explorer. It was further alleged that this unfairly restricted the market for competing web browsers (such as Netscape Navigator or Opera) that were slow to download over a modem or had to be purchased at a store. Underlying these disputes were questions over Microsoft’s allegedly anti-competitive strategies – to impose high entry barriers – including forming restrictive licensing agreements with OEM computer manufacturers, entering into exclusionary agreements with ICPs and ISPs, altering its application programming interfaces (APIs) to favor Internet Explorer over third party web browsers, restricting alterations to its boot up sequence and active desktop, and above all Microsoft’s intent in its course of conduct .i.e. to kill competition by any means and deprive consumers of product choice, especially in browsers, by discouraging innovation. Microsoft’s Anti-competitive Strategies: 1. Microsoft invested money to develop, test and promote IE for free to all users. In competition to Netscape browsers which was being sold for a price. They even paid some customers to use IE instead of Netscape browser. 2. Microsoft put a condition to PC manufacturers to license, preinstall and distributes IE on every Window PC. By this, they were able to distribute IE on every PC by tying up IE to Windows 95, which was a monopoly version. 3. This was extended to the Windows 98, successor of Window 95, misusing their operating system monopoly to exclude competition and deprive customer of free choices. They made removal of IE from Windows 98 technically more difficult. 4. Microsoft restricted all OEM’s to remove any part of IE software or to add any other browser in the pc in a more prominent or visible way. So OEM’s are deprived of the choices they can make about which browser should be offered to customer. 5. Microsoft entered with anti competitive agreement with all largest and most popular ISP’s and OSP’s. It gave the list of ISP’s in folders with OS that enabled users to subscribe to their services and substantial value to ISP’s. 6. Microsoft entered anti competitive agreement with ICP’s to not pat or compensate his competitors for the distribution, marketing or promotion of the ICPs’ content, to not promote any other to inhibit competition. This way Microsoft precluded competition on the merits between Microsoft’s browser and other browser, used Windows operating system monopoly to extend to Internet browser market, and maintained Windows operating system monopoly. Microsoft stated that the merging of Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer was the result of innovation and competition, that the two were now the same product and were inextricably linked together. Also, the consumers were now getting all the benefits of Internet Explorer for free. Those who opposed Microsoft’s position countered that the browser was still a distinct and separate product which did not need to be tied to the operating system, since a separate version of Internet Explorer was available for Mac OS. They also asserted that IE was not really free because its development and marketing costs may have kept the price of Windows higher than it might otherwise have been. The case was tried before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson. While the initial verdict went against Microsoft, the verdict was overturned on appeal. Nonetheless, EU recently found Microsoft guilty of anti-trust conduct and slapped a fine of US$1.3 billion in 2008, the largest fine ever imposed on a company.

The Introduction of Starbucks

Background of Starbucks In 1970s, Starbucks opens first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The name comes from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a classic American novel about the 19th century whaling industry. The seafaring name seems appropriate for a store that imports the world’s finest coffees to the cold, thirsty people of Seattle. In 1980s, Howard Schultz joins Starbucks as director of retail operations and marketing. Starbucks begins providing coffee to fine restaurants and espresso bars.At the next year, he travels to Italy, where he’s impressed with popularity of espresso bars in Milan. He sees the potential to develop a similar coffeehouse culture in Seattle. He convinces the Starbucks’ founders to test the coffeehouse concept in downtown Seattle by serving the first Caffe Latte. Howard found Il Giornale, which offering brewed coffee and espresso beverages. Its name changed to Starbucks Corporation and opened in Canada. In 1990s, Starbucks expands headquarters in Seattle. It became the first privately owned U.S. company to offer a stock option program that includes part-time employees. It opened the first licensed airport store at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport and completed initial public offering (IPO) at the next year. It opened roasting plant in Kent, Wash. In 1994,  Starbucks opens the first drive-thru location and introduces Starbucks ® super-premium ice cream in 1995. They  begin establish the Starbucks Foundation. In 1998, they extend the Starbucks brand into grocery channels across the U. S. and  launch Starbucks. om. In 2000s, to our excellent coffees and espresso drinks, people now enjoy for Tazo ® tea and Frappuccino ® blended beverages. Howard transitions to chairman and chief global strategist, Orin Smith promoted to president and chief executive officer. They established licensing agreement with TransFair USA to sell Fairtrade certified coffee. In  2003,  they acquire Sea ttle Coffee Company and open the first Farmer Support Center in San Jose, Costa Rica. In 2006, Starbucks launches the first paper beverage cup containing ost-consumer recycled fiber. Chairman Howard returns as chief executive officer and then acquires Coffee Equipment Company. He launches Starbucks first online community. In 2010s,  Starbucks expanded digital offerings for customers with free unlimited Wi-Fi, Starbucks Digital Network. Until 2012, Starbucks has out of 17,000 stores throughout the world. It also  introduces Starbucks ® Blonde Roast and announces Verismo ® system by Starbucks premium single-cup espresso machine.Starbucks also acquires La Boulange ® bakery brand to elevate core food offerings. Nature of Business Starbucks is one of the famous coffee brands and shop it also is the best coffee making. It purchases and roasts high-quality bean coffees and sells them along with fresh, rich-brewed, Italian style espresso beverages, a variety of pastries and confec tions, and coffee-related accessories and equipment-primarily through its company-operated retail stores.In addition to sales through our company-operated retail stores, Starbucks sells whole bean coffees through a specialty sales group and supermarkets. Additionally, Starbucks produces and sells bottled Frappuccino ® coffee drink and premium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships and offers a line of innovative premium teas produced by its wholly owned subsidiary, Tazo Tea Company. Starbucks are also launches Starbucks Card iPhone apps and Starbucks Card Mobile payment.The Company's objective is to establish the Starbucks as the most recognized and respected brand in the world. To achieve this goal, the Company plans to continue to rapidly expand its retail operations, grow its specialty sales and other operations, and selectively pursue opportunities to leverage Starbucks brand through the introduction of new products and the development of new distribution channels.

'Using a case study approach, critically appraise and evaluate Essay

'Using a case study approach, critically appraise and evaluate the nature of therapeutic interventions, in the management of a client's underlying condition or presenting symptom(s)' - Essay Example It is evident that owing to the busy schedule of individuals, people become unable to take care of themselves that can influence their health in a negative manner altogether (Suthakaran & Adithan, n.d.). Notably, as per the provided case, Mark is a patient who has been admitted to acute ward owing to his sudden collapse. Upon analysis of his past medical analysis, he was seen to be suffering from depression and anxiety, for which he chose pharmacological intervention over psychological treatment. Contextually, extensive secondary research study has been conducted for the research in depth where information will be collected from journals, literatures and research articles. The primary aim of the intervention includes identifying the potential benefits of therapeutic interventions with the combination of pharmacological and psychological interventions. As per the provided case study, an individual male at the age of 28 was admitted to acute ward after a sudden collapse at home. He was believed to be under the influence of extreme work pressure owing to which he developed an extreme level of stress. Past medical reports of the patient suggested that he was suffering from anxiety disorder and depression but was reluctant towards visiting psychologist. During the treatment of Mark in Acute ward, he showed negligible signs of any depression and anxiety despite of the aspect that he did not get any help from psychologists or any other healthcare professional in the past. He was in constant intake of Citalopram 40 mg on a daily basis. Correspondingly, it is believed that the patient and his symptoms regarding anxiety can be managed with the help of therapeutic intervention. Various noteworthy developments have been observed in the domain of nursing over the years. The profession have become one of the most prominent parts within the healthcare domain since

Natural disasters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Natural disasters - Essay Example What we see that is really different lately is we keep setting records for the warmest-year-ever for the globe, and we have various kinds of catastrophes or extreme events that stand out". (Groat) Hurricanes Albert Einstein saidGod does not play dice meaning there is a predictable pattern in everything. In a CNN interview Climatologist Mark Cane acknowledges some connections in certain atmospheric conditions, in excerpts from that interview he said. One of the things that has been studied a lot is the impact of the El Nino events on the Hurricanes. So, in an El Nino phase, you get fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic. We are not in an El Nino phase-we are in the opposite phase-and so we should expect more hurricanes, that is what is predicted and it seems to be, so far in this hurricane season, what is happening. (Cane) Jack Williams in his piece, A Guide to Storms, which was printed in USA Today, presents the commonality inherent in most storms and offers the practicality for their existence. All storms have two things in common: low atmospheric pressure at the storms center, and winds that are created by the flow of air from higher pressure outside the storm toward the low pressure outside the storm toward the low pressure at the center. Wind, in other words, is air that's being pushed by high pressure toward low pressure. Areas of low air pressure occurs because the sun heats the earth unequally. The sun shines down almost directly on the Earth's tropical regions near the equator, heating this region more than the polar region around the North and South Poles and the middle latitudes between the Poles and the tropics. Storms along with ocean currents, redistribute heat from the...(4) Fires which are caused by lightening, and prolonged sun rays on an excessively dry vegetated earth cover. (5) Lack of rain. (a) Drought, and (b) famine. (6) Outbreaks of disease (a) sars, (b)small pox, (c) HIV/AIDS, et. el. Earthquakes, landslides and floods, - these hazards are part of the way the earth operates. Although we can't prevent natural hazards from happening, we can learn from them, and use the knowledge to prevent natural hazards from turning into natural disasters. The next century gives us a new chance to apply the lessons we have learned about natural hazards. As we look ahead to the next millennium, we must continue to improve our understanding of how the earth works and our ability to provide timely, effective warnings, so that we can live safely on our planet. I think it will be one of the superstar years for the century in a lot of ways. What we see that is really different lately is we keep setting records for the warmest-year-ever for the globe, and we have various kinds of catastrophes or extreme events that stand out". (Groat) and gained the dubious distinction as the most destructive hurricane in United States history.

ETHICS, LAW AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

ETHICS, LAW AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Although, the augmenting complexity of business, because of the extensive transformations and developments of the technologies and globalization offers an apparent indication that now we have in an extremely complex business environment and is turning out to be more complex due to novel ethical, cultural, social and legal transformations (Maniam & Teetz, 2009). Business and corporate â€Å"Ethics† is an everyday incidence in the business world as well as in someone’s life. Business ethics is the similar to a normal ethics. These both kinds of ethical practices offer us to identify, what is wrong or right, or else we are in process of discovering what is wrong or right in the environment in which one is concerned. An ethical matter can not have a tangible response; therefore a persons preference can rely on that persons state of affairs. This can take place for the reason that "business and corporate ethics is a large and murky area as well as the place of work is full o f ethical problems and issues. As a result, workers reaction to force to perform can resort to unprincipled decisions so as to convene the objectives they experience are difficult. This can take place at some level of administration (Tutor2u, 2009). This report presents the detailed analysis of the Wal-Mart business and its associated ethical factors. The Wal-Mart is acknowledged as the king of marketplace because of its huge size. It has driven lesser retailers out of commerce; forced companies to be well-organized, frequently leading these suppliers to move industrial jobs overseas; and changed the method that up till now large and established productions do business. Wal-Mart has existence or death decisions over all the customer supplies industries that survive in the US, for the reason that it is the number-one supplier-retailer of the majority of our customer goods, not still toys, clothes, shoes but home applications, electronic goods,

Decision Making, Decision Levels and Types of Problems Research Paper

Decision Making, Decision Levels and Types of Problems - Research Paper Example System theories such as decision theory (involving studies on how to choose better solutions) and game theory (involving studies on conflict identification and resolution) are useful in organizations today. However, as organizations are governed by complex systems, there are also corresponding approaches that go with these theories. According to Walonick (1993, para. 5), there are two different approaches used in understanding a system or its components, the cross-sectional and developmental approaches. In the cross-sectional approach, a system is analyzed in relation to other systems while in the developmental approach, a system is analyzed through the changes that it undergoes throughout time. These approaches are used to understand a particular, general system; either in its own context, or in the context of its relations to other systems. Accordingly, these approaches are practiced in various fields in arts (e.g. architecture) and sciences (e.g. medicine, computer studies). Gener al Systems Theory and Approach in Information Technology As system theories and approaches are used to understand the concepts behind a system, these theories and approaches are essential elements in the process of conflict identification and resolution. ... Considering this situation, it can also be said that system theories are necessary in the decision-making process of information system creation as those influence the design of the system. Decision Levels and Types of Problems The decision-making process in creating an information system consists of a combination of complex problems and solution. As mentioned by Skyttner (2005, p. 400), there are three types of problems (structured, semi-structured, and unstructured) and three decision levels (operational, tactical, and strategical) involved in the decision-making process. Additionally Skyttner (2005, p. 400) explains that structured problems refer to problems that can be broken down into different quantifiable elements while semi-structured problems points to problems that are â€Å"partly structured and partly unstructured. Furthermore, unstructured problems refer to problems that do not have clear conventions, which require the evaluative and insightful capacity of decision-make rs. Aside from the impact system theories in the identification of the problem structure, those theories are also essential in recognizing the appropriate decision level that should be maintained in conflict resolution process. In the words of Schmidt and Wilhelm (2000, p. 1510), the tactical level in the decision-making process refers to â€Å"the material flow of from suppliers to production facilities. In this process, decision-makers are able to choose the material that should be used in operation as well as where to get those materials. Following the tactical level in the decision-making process is the strategic level wherein decision-makers prescribe the use of specific materials in the production. Thus, strategic level decisions consist of pronouncements regarding production

The importance of HBCUs in the modern world Research Paper

The importance of HBCUs in the modern world - Research Paper Example Equality was often the cry. Nowadays, when people think they have achieved the desires of their old folks, social issues such as discrimination or racism are seriously examined on every corner of the world. With the acceptance of the merging of different races towards a global goal, it is being considered if racism has indeed been eradicated or if there is still the scars of racism that show that in the modern world, racism still exists. One of the things being closely examined in relation to this issue is the existence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in a world wherein such racist impositions are greatly criticized. In this paper, it will be studied if the HBCUs are still relevant or if they should be dissolved just as slavery has been dissolved in order to get rid not only of the pains of racism but also its memories and scars. In order to consider well the different angles of the HBCUs, it is important to learn about the history of the colleges and universit ies. According to the title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, an HBCU is a school of higher learning whose principal mission was and is the education of African Americans accredited and established before 1964 (thurgoodmarshallfund.net). The Higher Education Center on the other hand specifically mentions that it is any historically black college or university (higheredcenter.org) and continues with the definition mentioned earlier. The first HBCU was established in 1837, twenty six years before the end of slavery (Coleman), in Pennsylvania and named Cheney University. The school catered to African Americans who have just earned their freedom from their slavery, who wanted to earn an education which they believed would grant them better lives. It was birthed by a Quaker who was also known to be a philanthropist, who yearned to educate and train free Blacks to become teachers (Coleman). For years, HBCUs stood for the educational rights of African American citizens and provided them with quality education that helped them actively participate in their communities. Among them are Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University organized in 1875 through the efforts of a former slave, William Hooper Council; Bowie State University which boasts of its dedication to the advancement of knowledge through teaching, research and service; and Lincoln University, known as the oldest historically black university founded in 1854 (thurgoodmarshallfund.net). The Historically Black Colleges and Universities boast of quality education that made way for a lot of African Americans and other cultures alike to succeed in the educational arena not only for undergraduates but also for graduate studies. It is claimed that nine out of ten of those who earn doctoral degrees are from HBCUs. Moreover, the HBCUs also boast about the high percentage of practicing professionals to be their graduates and African American Medical school applicants from HBCUs to have outnumbered the applic ants from Johns Hopkins, Harvard and the University of Maryland, combined (thinkhbcu.org). Among others that make HBCUs proud about their achievements are the significant number of their African American degree holders and doctorate degrees awarded for communications. HBCUs also boast that they are excellent institutions falling in line with the top ten colleges and universities for African American, even placing in the top six

Business environment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business environment - Assignment Example The region has long been established as the leading European zone for attracting private investment. In fact, at present it is UK's most successful region for attracting foreign direct investment, and is among the top five in Europe. The West Midlands is the address of nearly 2,000 overseas companies from 34 different nations, employing roughly 9% of the region's workforce - nearly a quarter of a million people. Birmingham itself can boast of almost 300 overseas companies, which employ over 36,000 people. International and famous companies based in the West Midlands include Peugeot, Ford, BMW, Fujitsu, Oracle, Gap, Denso, IBM, NEC and Johnson Controls. A little over the last ten years, the West Midlands experienced real economic growth with GDP increasing by around 29%, an additional 240,000 people in employment, a fall in unemployment rates from 12.1% to below 8% (2000), economic activity rate at par with the rest of the country, an employment rate of around 74% (1998-1999 to 2003), higher than the national rate at the start of the three year period (1998-99) and a higher percentage of employees in high technology sectors than the national average in 2000 (Mitra, 2001). Despite noticeable indicators of development and progress, the West Midlands maintains its status of an under-achieving region. It has under-performed in almost all major areas judging by the economic indicators, if overall performance in the UK is used as a standard. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head in 1999 was 6% below the national average in spite of an increase of nearly 2% from 1998. On the Index of Local Deprivation, the West Midlands has two districts in the top 10 and 6 in the top 50 most deprived areas. In 1997, likewise, the West Midlands had the second lowest manufacturing productivity levels. Gross Value Added per GDP per head has stayed around 6% below the national average throughout the 1990s. Since 1990, unemployment rates have remained above the national average. Finally, the number of VAT- registered businesses has fallen faster than the national average. Compared to EU regions similar to the West Midlands (using the GVA metric), the latter is at par with most other regions and slightly below Bourgogne (France). SMEs in the West Midlands Economy With statistical trends elsewhere, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the largest share of all enterprises in the West Midlands. The region is composed of small firms, which would imply that small business activity is characteristic of the region's business and economic scenario. The sectoral spread of the firms portray the profile of the region with its mix of traditional industrial ands agricultural activities, combined with business and financial services. Reflecting overall national patterns, and indeed that of the West Midlands region, no one sub-region has more than two sectors with greater than 20% of the business sites in those sectors. Potential Sources of Support Across the region, Advantage West Midlands is setting up a variety of strategies and business support programmes aimed at motivating and promoting wealth creation and the diversification of the region's economy. Working in alliance with other organisations, the objective is to provide the business support required

FROM HAUTE COUTURE TO HIGH STREET Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

FROM HAUTE COUTURE TO HIGH STREET - Essay Example g the possibility of a collaboration between this world of fashion and the diametrically opposite world of brands and labels is the basis of this study. The target segment for this collaboration would be the college going and early jobbers in the population. The brand is termed as ‘IQ’ which literally means intelligence quotient, choice of today’s woman. The brand represents the value of respect to today’s woman of substance and also looks at educating a younger segment in the process in terms of style more than the volatility of fashion. This crowd can be converted into a loyal market base over a period of time for both the brands. The study concludes to believe the feasibility of such collaboration and the recommendation is definitely go ahead as both stand to benefit from each other considerably. Fashion evolves in itself and that too every 10 years then the question arises is that why does it need the support of effective marketing? The objective of this paper is to not only analyze the brand names but to tap the potential market of high end fashion stores by associating it with the label, the customer would like to buy. Hence we are consulting various perspectives of marketing in fashion industry especially the necessity of such collaboration between a high end fashion store and a designer label. 1. Fashion industry works on the imaginations and creativity of the creators. For a commoner in the society the desire to look good and acceptable by the surrounding society becomes a need which is regulated by the resources that are available. Marketing sets a trend to follow by all means and the second part concentrates on the individual’s own desires to be acceptable. 2. Promotion focuses on making the customer understand the company, its policies, objectives and values. For ex: If an organization is into designer diamonds ornaments, the brand should clearly state so. Every aspect of marketing mix should take this into consideration. The prices quoted,

Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Example for Free

Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means that a corporation should be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment. Actually, MTR has been implementation of CSR. Since 1993, MTR staff will use their spare time to contribute to society, spontaneously organize and participate in volunteer activities. In 2005, MTR has also set up a volunteer program, to provide support for employees. The the MTR at â€Å"railway people, railway Heart† volunteers plan to participate in 86 community projects and participate in volunteer up to 1,800 people and 12,000 recipients. The target includes the elderly, low-income families, the physically disabled, mentally retarded persons and other people in need. MTR not only set up a volunteer program, but also provide free rides promotions for elderly. Moreover, MTR organized 17 work-life balance seminars and 8 value creation seminars. In addition, MTR in 2005 to help establish the first Charter of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR Charter), served as one of its founder members. It formulates the first MTR corporate social responsibility guidelines, as well as the establishment of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility policy Steering Committee. You can see that, MTR held accountable for Hong Kongers of its actions. The vision of MTR is that care services, linking and building community to become an internationally recognized business pioneer. And, we think MTR been efforts to implement. However, MTR can do it better. Some of peoples said that MTR held accountable for Hong Kongers of its actions is insufficiency. Although MTR is Limited Corporation, the largest shareholder still is government. Thus, MTR belong public goods, it must be emphasized that the public welfare at first. Because of it, parts of public think that MTR should do more to maintain or improve our public welfare. The most people displeasure MTR is the fare should decrease or reduce to provide cheaper ticket for public as MTR earn much money each year. It should give some feedback to public. MTR owns along the real estate development projects, the total assets more than three hundred billion dollar. MTR offer concessions to passengers, such as short-term fare concessions ten get one free, but this small favors obviously not been accepted by the public. We think that MTR should think more about public and to listen to the views of the public, and make the appropriate action or respond. MTR is a large public company; it should not just focus on economic profit and ought to look out the needs of public. If not, public will procession to express their dissatisfaction because MTR do not held accountable for Hong Kongers of its actions. The impact of CSR on the company’s economic profit is very small, or not even. The most popular debate of CSR is that CSR will make the company lowers economic efficiency and profit as the business need to use extra resources for social purposes. But, it is not be applicable on MTR. It is because MTR not only provide transport services, it also have other business, such as investment in housing. Therefore, the profit of MTR is very large. Even though it use some resource to implement CSR, it will not affect its profit. Conversely, it will aroused public discontent if MTR have not implement its CSR as MTR is a big company and earn a lot of money from public, it should do something for public. On the other hand, it may affect its image as public think that MTR just focus on economic profit without their public welfare. Although MTR always build its image via TV, but parts of people think that it is not enough. They do not just want the promotion and they want the real action, like decrease the fare. People are not easy to deceive. If MTR not listen and ameliorate its actions, plan or behavior, it will increase the displeasure of public and affect its image. People will adopt a more radical behavior to express their dissatisfaction when it does not have any improve. And, it will affect its reputation.

Vampires in Society and Mass Media Essay Example for Free

Vampires in Society and Mass Media Essay Vampires. The living dead. Immortals. They go by many names, but whatever they are called, they are known by people in every culture. They haunt our nightmares and color our dreams, turning the night into a sinister and mysterious place. Whether we see them in movies or books, or hear their stories around the campfire, vampires are all around us, rooted deep in our minds. But what are vampires, exactly, and where did they come from? The unknown has always been a cause for fear in people. The dark, death- we don’t know what they hold, and our imaginations run wild trying to prepare our minds. â€Å" it is not surprising that primitive societies the world over†¦ have created whole pantheons of gods and demons, all supposedly out to gorge themselves on human flesh and blood.† (Frost, 1989) Legends stem back to the beginnings of religious lore, of a female vampire called Empusae by the Greeks, Lamia by the Romans, Lilitu by the Babylonians, and Lilith by the Hebrews, a succubus bent on the ensnarement of young men. So how do people think of vampires today? Until recently, the stereotypical vampire was known to be pale-skinned and soulless; a killer who gorged on blood to survive, who had no reflection and could not bear the presence of any holy object or garlic, could not cross running water, and could be killed with a stake through the heart or from exposure to sunlight, which burned. Today, many different variations of the legend exist, from psychic vampirism, which is a mysterious process whereby certain persons are able to steal other peoples vitality without even touching them (Frost, 1989), to vampirism of a scientific nature, existing in a normal human with a soul. While on the subject of vampires, one must also talk about their slayers. The name Van Helsing always comes up when on the topic of vampire slayers, whether its Abraham Van Helsing form the original Dracula, or Gabriel Van Helsing from the movie, Van Helsing. One must also mention Buffy Summers, from the popular 90s television show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Each of these characters hunts and kills evil vampires that prey on and murder innocent victims. They are the heroes. In some stories, however, the vampire slayers are the villains, attempting to murder vampires seen as good or innocent, a newer concept. The most well-known vampire story is Bram Stokers 1897 book, Dracula. Set in Victorian London, it tells the story of Jonathan Harker and his fiancà ©e Mina Murray. Harker is sent to Transylvania to help the mysterious Count Dracula with a real estate transaction, but he soon realizes that he is being held prisoner, kept weak by Dracula’s three wives. Dracula then travels to London and begins feeding on Lucy Westenra, a friend of Minas. Her fiancà ©e, Arthur Holmwood, later known as Lord Godalming, and other suitors, Quincy P. Morris and Dr. John Seward, enlist the help of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, â€Å"renowned as a specialist in rare diseases of the blood† (Joshi, 2011), when they see her wasting away, and attempt to give her multiple blood transfusions, but she eventually dies and rises again as a vampire to feed on the young children of London. Harker manages to escape from the ‘sisters’ and is met by Mina in Budapest, where they are married before ret urning to England. Dracula begins visiting Mina, and the men quickly realize what is happening to her. With her help, they lure Dracula back to his Transylvanian castle, â€Å"where he is dispatched (with knives) by Harker and Morris† (Joshi, 2011). Originally entitled The Un-Dead, Dracula is written in the form of notes in shorthand and transcribed on typewriters, gramophone recordings, telegraph messages, and journal entries of the various characters. The Count himself is the only major character who does not narrate the story at some point. While Dracula is certainly now well-known by most everyone, it did not become popular until it was adapted for film and the stage. At the Lyceum Theater in London in 1987, Bram Stoker presented a stage reading of an abbreviated version of Dracula. This helped him secure the performance rights for his novel. The first Dracula movie was made in 1922 and titled Nosferatu in an attempt to avoid paying royalties to the Stoker estate. 1931 introduced perhaps the most famous Dracula yet known in Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian actor whose voice and physical appearance formed the character of Dracula for many years to come. Many other adaptations have since been created, the most recent being Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992. The closest match to Bram Stoker’s original book is the 1972 film version of Count Dracula. â€Å"Anne Rice has long been credited with reviving the vampire as a cultural icon, introducing it to a huge mainstream audience and influencing most interpretations of the archetype that followed hers.† (Joshi, 2011) Although she originally had trouble reading as a child, Rice wrote Interview with a Vampire in 1973, based on a short story she had written in 1968. Interview with a Vampire is about a man who is turned into a vampire and does not want to kill. Her second Vampire Chronicles novel, The Vampire Lestat, is tells the story of Lestat, who originally created Louis from Interview with a Vampire, and he dissents with Louis’s opinions of him and gives much more information of the vampire world than was given in Interview with a Vampire. She continues Lestat’s story with The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, Memnoch the Devil, and The Vampire Armand. Then, she crossed her vampire Chronicles novels with her Mayfair witches series in Merrick, Blackwood Farm, and Blood Canticle. To date, Interview with a Vampire and The Queen of the Damned have been adapted into movies, and a play named Lestat, based on Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, has been adapted for the theater. In 2005, Stephenie Meyer began the first novel in her Twilight saga. The series consists of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. It follows Bella Swan, an awkward teenager who meets a mysterious boy in school and comes to find he is a vampire. As the series continues, several attempts are made on Bella’s life because she knows about vampires, and eventually she marries Edward and is turned into a vampire after giving birth to a human-vampire hybrid. The books have so far been made into four movies, and a fifth is scheduled to come out November 16. Other vampire stories are created simply as movies. The Underworld series is about a race of vampires that is at war with a race of werewolves, called Lycans. It includes the movies Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, and Underworld: Awakening. Recently movies like Daybreakers have been made, where vampires have basically overrun the humans. In the movie Blade, Blade is a human-vampire hybrid who protects the humans from vampires. Vampires have even been introduced into children’s shows. The Disney channel show My Babysitter’s a Vampire has a cast full of teenage vampires protecting their small town of Whitechapel from other strange monsters. Even in Sesame Street, The Count teaches small children how to count and the alphabet. The 2000 movie The Little Vampire is about a little boy who tries to save his new vampire friends and their family from an evil vampire slayer. Vampires have been a big part of society and entertainment. From books to movies to TV, everyone has heard of, read about, and watched vampires throughout their lives, and it is unlikely that they will go out of style anytime soon. With the Edward Cullens, Lestats, and Draculas of the world out there, it looks like we will always have vampires around, and we’re okay with that. Vampires help us consider life after death, mortality, and even our relationships with other people. They show us that no matter how bad things get, you can always change for the better. Works Cited Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. Columbia, 1992. Film. Florescu, Radu and McNally, Raymond T. The Complete Dracula. Acton: Copley, 1992. Print. Frost, Brian J. The Monster with a Thousand Faces: Guises of the Vampire in Myth and Literature. Bowling Green: BGSU Popular Press, 1989. Print. Interview with a Vampire. Dir. Neil Jordan. Warner Bros., 1994. Film. Jenkins, Mark Collins. Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend. Washington: National Geographic, 2010. Print. Joshi, S. T. Encyclopedia of the Vampire: The Living Dead in Myth, Legend, and Popular Culture. Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 2011. Print. Kane, Tim. The Changing Vampire of Film and Television: A Critical Study of the Growth of a Genre. Jefferson: McFarland, 2003. Print. McClelland, Bruce A. Slayers and their Vampires: A Cultural History of Killing the Dead. Ann Arbor: UM Press, 2003. Print. McNally, Raymond T. A Clutch of Vampires: These Being Among the Best from History and Lit erature. 25 vols. Greenwich: NY Graphic, 1974. Print. Schott, Gareth and Moffat, Kirstine, eds. Fanpires: Audience Consumption of the Modern Vampire. Washington: New Academic, 2011. Print. The Queen of the Damned. Dir. Michael Rymer. Roadshow, 2002. Film. Underworld. Dir. Len Wiseman. Warner Bros., 2003. Film. Wright, Dudley. The Book of Vampires. New York: Causeway, 1973. Print.

The Classification Of Solid Waste Environmental Sciences Essay

The Classification Of Solid Waste Environmental Sciences Essay Waste management which has always formed part of the human society consists of waste prevention, reuse, recycling of materials, composting, energy recovery and final disposal. The mushrooming of the worlds population, increasing industrialization, improving quality of life, and developments in technology have all resulted in an increase in both the quantity and the different types of solid wastes generated by industries, households and other activities (UNEP,1991). The problems of dealing with large amount of waste materials arise specially in developing countries where these changes have not been met by developments in waste-management technologies (Wilson Balkau, 1990). Domestic solid waste has become a health and environmental hazard in many developing countries as a result of careless handling and a failure to make arrangement for appropriate solid waste collection techniques. It is a common belief that improving solid waste management (SWM) implies making waste collection and d isposal systems more efficient, raising residents awareness and enforcing SWM laws and regulations (Obeng.P.A; Donkor.A.E Mensah.A; 2009). 2.1 Definition of solid waste Solid waste can be defined as a different types of solid materials and also some liquids in cans, that are disposed as being spent, useless, worthless or in excess (Nemerow.L.N, Gardy.A.J.F, Sullivan.P and Salvato.A.J; 2009) 2.2 Classification of solid waste The classification of solid waste is based on the content, moisture and heating value. An example of classification is as follows: Garbage refers to the biodegradable solid waste constituents, obtained during the preparation or storage of food (meat, fruits, and vegetables). These wastes water content of about 70% and a heating value of around 6ooooookg (Rao,1991) Rubbish refers to non-putrecible solid waste constituents either combustible (paper, wood, scrap) or non-combustible (metals, glasses ceramics). These wastes contain about 25% of water and the heating value of the waste is around 15000000kg (Rao, 1991). Solid waste can be further classified based on the source of the solid waste: Domestic waste Commercial waste Institutional waste Industrial waste Agricultural waste 2.3 Sources and Types of solid wastes Table 1.0 below shows different source types of solid wastes produced Sources Typical locations where wastes are generated Types of solid wastes Municipal wastes (domestic, commercial, institutional) Residential, open areas (street) Food wastes, rubbish, paper Industrial wastes Factory wastes Organic wastes from food processing, metallic sludges Agricultural wastes Forestry wastes Crop residues, animal manure Mining Quarrying wastes Mining minerals Rock, topsoil Energy generation wastes Thermal power plants Fly ash Source: Peavy, Rowe Tchobanoglous (1985) Since, domestic waste, commercial waste and institutional wastes are collected and transported by similar authorities, that is the municipal council or district council, they are usually group together and called Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). 2.4 What is solid waste management? Solid waste management is considered as a serious matter in different parts of the world. The unexpected increase of waste production emphasizes on the necessity of a right balance in the various technological facilities for the collection and treatment of waste, taking into consideration the existing regulations, economic constraints, environmental issues and also public acceptance, (Caputo.C.A, Pelagagge.M.P and Scacchia.F; 2002). Solid waste management can be defined as the technical measures that will ensure respective executions of the functions of collection, transport, processing, treatment and disposal of solid waste. The global concern about environmental health suggests that wastes be managed in an efficient manner and disposed of in an acceptable way, in order to reduce and or where possible get rid of its potential dangers that are posed to human beings and the environment as a whole, (Robinson 1986). 2.5 The need for municipal solid waste management The need for municipal solid waste management arose since the effects of solid waste in the environment outweigh the benefits. The following illustrate some examples of improper solid waste management. Public Health Problems and Diseases The uncontrolled fermentation of garbage provides the food source and habitat for bacterial growth. Furthermore, there is proliferation of insects, flies, mosquitoes and some birds which act as passive vectors in the transmission of some infectious diseases. Aesthetic consideration Dumping of solid waste everywhere and failure to collect those wastes in a proper way, not only provide rooms for the growth and spreading of mosquitoes and insects, but also give rise to strong odour and lead to an unsightly and unpleasant environment. Air Pollution Uncontrolled and incomplete combustion of solid waste materials can result in a number of unwanted air pollutants including particulate matter, smoke, sulphur dioxide and other noxious gases from the burning of plastic materials. Thus by analyzing the few health hazards and environmental impacts of solid waste, we conclude that a safe and environmentally and economically sustainable solid waste management plan is indispensable. 2.6 General solid waste management in Mauritius In Mauritius, it is the local authorities which consist of five municipalities for urban areas and four district councils for rural regions, private sectors such as Securiclean, Maxiclean, Atics among others, and the Ministry of Local Government which carry out waste collection. The Chief Health Inspector in all the five municipalities controls the operation of collection, disposal and street cleaning. The officer is also responsible for transport allocation and operation, including control of drivers, except in Port-Louis where transport and drivers are on the establishment of the City Engineers department. There exist a similar structure in the three district councils concerning the management and operational transport. However since the labour force is small, employees from the government are supplemented to perform the work. The frequency of collection regarding domestic refuse varies from twice a week to once monthly between local authorities. The collection of commercial or trade waste in urban and rural areas is treated as a main concern and a daily service is provided. With respect to storage, some municipalities have provided plastic bins and plastic bags to the residents. This has facilitated the collection process. All waste collected by the district and municipal council and the private contractors are disposed of directly to a dump site or to a transfer station where the waste is processed and compacted before dumping. (Source: http://localgovernment.gov.mu)

The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat :: Journalism Epidemics Health Essays

The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat This year, our nation faced a pair of crises: war and pestilence. Even as our brave men fought for America on Germany soil, an invisible and perhaps more deadly foe took hold in our nation and around the world. Our nation's hospitals face a drastic shortage of staff and space to accommodate adequately both the wounded soldiers who have returned from the war and our civilian population who have fallen victim to influenza. This was a consequence that we could not have foreseen. It is suspected that the origin of this great epidemic may have been Boston, considering that it is one of the busiest ports in our nation. From there the infection has spread throughout the New England area and reached areas as remote as California. Although this disease is called the "Spanish Influenza" it has spread beyond Spain, Europe and America. Cases from as far as the Orient and even Africa have been documented and verified. Clearly, this is no ordinary flu. However, I believe that this flu is extraordinary not only in its destructive nature, but in casting a legacy of distrust for science amongst the general populace. In Sierra Leone the flu was brought from Europe and become a deadly epidemic. A report claims that as many as 1,000 individuals had died there in a single week. Furthermore, the shortage of food in the region further execrated the problem. Strangely, the disease did [not] just claim human victims. There were even reports in Sierra Leone of monkeys and other primates who became stricken with the flu. (NY Times) The flu was perhaps hardest on our troops fighting abroad. Not only did they have to contend with the German infantry's relentless machine gun fire from the trenches, but they also endured some of the harshest conditions in the history of war. Here at home, we could easily put on a mask and avoid those who are infected hoping that we could avoid this virulent disease. But our brave fighting men could not. In the trenches of Germany, they had more to worry about than simply catching a cold. Their survival often depended on the cover fire from their nearest comrade, sick or not. Needless to say, the Americans were not the only party affected by this illness. The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat :: Journalism Epidemics Health Essays The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat This year, our nation faced a pair of crises: war and pestilence. Even as our brave men fought for America on Germany soil, an invisible and perhaps more deadly foe took hold in our nation and around the world. Our nation's hospitals face a drastic shortage of staff and space to accommodate adequately both the wounded soldiers who have returned from the war and our civilian population who have fallen victim to influenza. This was a consequence that we could not have foreseen. It is suspected that the origin of this great epidemic may have been Boston, considering that it is one of the busiest ports in our nation. From there the infection has spread throughout the New England area and reached areas as remote as California. Although this disease is called the "Spanish Influenza" it has spread beyond Spain, Europe and America. Cases from as far as the Orient and even Africa have been documented and verified. Clearly, this is no ordinary flu. However, I believe that this flu is extraordinary not only in its destructive nature, but in casting a legacy of distrust for science amongst the general populace. In Sierra Leone the flu was brought from Europe and become a deadly epidemic. A report claims that as many as 1,000 individuals had died there in a single week. Furthermore, the shortage of food in the region further execrated the problem. Strangely, the disease did [not] just claim human victims. There were even reports in Sierra Leone of monkeys and other primates who became stricken with the flu. (NY Times) The flu was perhaps hardest on our troops fighting abroad. Not only did they have to contend with the German infantry's relentless machine gun fire from the trenches, but they also endured some of the harshest conditions in the history of war. Here at home, we could easily put on a mask and avoid those who are infected hoping that we could avoid this virulent disease. But our brave fighting men could not. In the trenches of Germany, they had more to worry about than simply catching a cold. Their survival often depended on the cover fire from their nearest comrade, sick or not. Needless to say, the Americans were not the only party affected by this illness.

A Christmas Carol - character study of Scrooge Essay -- English Litera

A Christmas Carol - character study of Scrooge "A Christmas Carol" â€Å"Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!† Scrooge is the main character in the novel ‘A Christmas Carol’. At the beginning of the novel he is a brutal, evil, pitiless, cold-hearted man, but subsequent to meeting three spirits, Scrooge regrets his life and decides he needs to alter it. The main theme Charles Dickens conveys through the story is redemption; this is significant especially in the Victorian era, whilst there was an immense gap between the prosperous and the inadequate. Dickens uses Scrooge (a rich, greedy business man) to direct his novel to the very rich people, and to exhibit how money can impede your good judgement. Charles’s life influenced his writing, like in ‘A Christmas Carol’; you can relate his stories to his life. Most of Dickens writing was regarding poverty because at the time he was deprived. He had to work in a factory when he was only twelve and when he was fifteen he was employed in a solicitors office, therefore he empathizes what being a clerk was like, as one of the characters in ‘A Christmas Carol’. Dickens chose to call his story ‘A Christmas Carol’ because carols have some moral background and to teach people a lesson, and that’s exactly what Dickens wanted to do, he wanted people to learn something from reading this novel. Another reason why Dickens called his story ‘A Christmas Carol’ is because it was written at Christmas time. The idea of a song is continued in the structure of the novel because it is divided into staves rather than chapters, which remind us of a song. Dickens incorporates Victorian Christmas traditions into his story, as well as prom... ...y Tim, who fortunately does not die. Scrooge is able to redeem himself by becoming a better person; from cruel and cold-hearted man to a kind loving person. This links back to the idea of the Christianity and redemption and the religious term referring to being saved. I n this case, Scrooge is being saved from dying a lonely, sad, old man. Scrooge’s story relates to society because it people that if a man as bad as Scrooge can change and transform himself for the better , the everyone else can as well then our society would be a much better place for us to live in. The moral lesson that Dickens wants to convey is not to be greedy, don’t let money obstruct your good judgement and money does not buy you happiness. Another lesson Dickens wants to teach his reader’s is that even if you haven’t been good all your life just like Scrooge you could also change.

Twelfth Night Essay -- Literature, Shakespeare

In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and in Molià ¨re’s The Imaginary Invalid, two ladies are presented, that are not necessarily the leading protagonist, but they help unravel the plays’ plots into something amazing. Twelfth Night features Maria, the lady in waiting to Olivia. At first Maria comes off as a dilettante, later on we find out that’s not the case at all. Meanwhile, in The Imaginary Invalid, there is the disputatious Toinette, who is the maidservant and nurse to the imaginary invalid himself, Argan. Maria and Toinette are two strong women characters, their strength and wit is depicted through Maria and Toinette’s deceiving schemes to make their plays more stimulating as well as their objectivity throughout all the chaos in their respective play. In addition, Maria plays the role of the lady in waiting who essentially doesn’t do anything for herself except take orders. Later on the reader soon realizes that, Maria is a strong witty character that takes matters in to her own hands. Maria developes a strategy, first she goes for the messed up drunken Sir Toby and her goal is to straighten him out. Maria confronts Sir Toby about his drunkenness, â€Å"That quaffing and drinking will undo you: I heard my lady talk of it yesterday† (1.3.128). Sir Toby begins to take notice in Maria. Maria begins to plot with Toby to bring down Malvolio (the condescending butler) as a practical joke. Through the process of plotting against Malvolio with Toby, Maria develops a back bone something she was not known for with Olivia. Maria took the lead in the plotting and Toby starts taking her orders, â€Å"Observe him, for the love of mockery, for I know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him† (2.5.18-19) As a resul t of the jokes success, Mari... ...was depicted through her persistence to help aid Toby and eventually gain his approval as well as becoming his equal. Meanwhile, Toinette’s dependability is depicted through her selfless; as Argan’s nurse/maidservant and confidant to his daughter. And her quick wit that in the end allowed her to come up with a plan that would ultimately make that play the quirky comedy it is today. Thus, concluding that both Maria and Toinette are similar, because they are both strong character and quite witty, witty enough to change the total outcome of their respective plays. Works Cited Molià ¨re. The Imaginary Invalid. A Dozen French Farces: Medieval to Modern. Ed. and Trans. Albert Bremel. New York: Limelight, 1997.13-64. Print. Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press, 2005. Print

The Black Death

Black Death refers to a bubonic and pneumonic plague believed to have come from rats and which spread throughout Western Europe during the 14th century resulting to the death of millions, drastically decreasing the overall population of Europe, and changing the economic and cultural landscape of the region. It came in periodic epidemics from 1300s to the 1700s in the various places where it struck. The plague is said to have originated in Central Asia when the Mongol army, in an attempt to take siege of the Caffa in the Crimea during the early 1300s, catapulted plague-infested corpses into the city. The fleeing traders carried the disease with them to Sicily. From Italy, it immediately spread into peopled towns and cities around neighboring France, Spain, Portugal, England, and other parts of Europe. It caused the total disappearance of villages as about one-third of the entire population of Europe died in the epidemic which ensued. It was most virulent in England where it claimed about half of its population. It spread quickly because doctors did not have enough knowledge then on how to cure the disease and any purpose of finding a cure was defeated by the fact that the plague claimed its victim within a week. Poor hygiene and sanitation practices among the crowded European cities also contributed to the outbreak. Aside from the dramatic decrease in Europe's population, the Black Death stopped on-going wars and caused a slump in trade. It decreased available labor in the farmlands. It even affected the Catholic Church as people turned to superstition to explain the cause of the plague when their faith could not do anything to cure it. There was mass slaughter and burning of Jews who were accused of spreading the plague. A good effect of the epidemic, however, is that the shortage of workers resulted to better remuneration for the peasants as farm owners tried to outdo each other in luring the peasantry to work for them. These resulted to social mobility which would eventually lessen the power of the nobility and clergy in succeeding centuries. The Black Death experience illustrates how disease could change the history of humankind especially if it affects multitudes of populations around the world. With the advanced technology in the field of medicine today however, and the presence of international organizations like the World Health Organization, it has become easier to contain epidemics before they could become as widespread as the Black Death experience. The Black Death â€Å"The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe† by Robert S. Gottfried is known as â€Å"A fascinating work of detective history, The Black Death traces the causes and far-reaching consequences of this infamous outbreak of plague that spread across the continent of Europe from 1347 to 1351. Drawing on sources as diverse as monastic manuscripts and dendrochronological studies (which measure growth rings in trees), historian Robert S. Gottfried demonstrates how a bacillus transmitted by rat fleas brought on an ecological reign of terror — killing one European in three, wiping out entire villages and towns, and rocking the foundation of medieval society and civilization. † The Black Death was an epidemic which spread across almost all of Europe in the years 1346 –1353; the plague killed over a third of the entire population. It has been described as the worst natural disaster in European history.The Black Death discusses the causes and r esults of the plague that devastated medieval Europe. It focuses on the many effects it had on the culture of medieval Europe and the possibility that it expedited cultural change. Robert S. Gottfried argued that rodent and insect life cycles, as well as the changing of weather systems affect plague. He claimed that the devastation plague causes is partly due to its perpetual recurrences. Plague ravaged Europe in cycles, devastated the people when they were recuperating.As can be later discovered in the book, the cycles of plague consumed the European population. A second thesis, which he described in greater detail, was that the plagues expedited the process of cultural change. The plagues killed a large percentage of each generation, leaving room for change. Why the name, Black Death? â€Å"The traditional belief is that it was so called because the putrefying flesh of the victims blackened in the final hours before death supervened. The trouble about this otherwise plausible the ory is that no such phenomenon occurred.It is true that, in cases of septicemic plague, small black or purple blotches formed on the bodies of the sick and this symptom must have made a vivid impression on beholders† (Ziegler) Coming out of the East, the Black Death reached the shores of Italy in the spring of 1348 unleashing a rampage of death across Europe unprecedented in recorded history. By the time the epidemic played itself out three years later, anywhere between 25% and 50% of Europe's population had fallen victim to the pestilence. The plague presented itself in three interrelated forms.The symptoms were not the same as in the East, where a gush of blood from the nose was the plain sign of inevitable death; but it began both in men and women with certain swellings in the groin or under the armpit. They grew to the size of a small apple or an egg, more or less, and were vulgarly called tumors. In a short space of time these tumors spread from the two parts named all ov er the body. Soon after this the symptoms changed and black or purple spots appeared on the arms or thighs or any other part of the body, sometimes a few large ones, sometimes many little ones.These spots were a certain sign of death, just as the original tumors had been and still remained. The bubonic variant (the most common) derives its name from the swellings or buboes that appeared on a victim's neck, armpits or groin. These tumors could range in size from that of an egg to that of an apple. Although some survived the painful ordeal, the manifestation of these lesions usually signaled the victim had a life expectancy of up to a week. Infected fleas that attached themselves to rats and then to humans spread this bubonic type of the plague.A second variation, pneumonic plague, attacked the respiratory system and was spread by merely breathing the exhaled air of a victim. It was much more virulent than its bubonic cousin – life expectancy was measured in one or two days. Fi nally, the septicemic version of the disease attacked the blood system. Having no defense and no understanding of the cause of the pestilence, the men, women and children caught in its onslaught were bewildered, panicked, and finally devastated. The Black Death covers the affects that numerous plagues had on the culture.There appear to have been several separate introductions into Europe. It reached Sicily in October 1347 carried by twelve Genoese galleys where it rapidly spread all over the island. Galleys from Caffa reached Genoa and Venice in January 1348 but it was the outbreak in Pisa a few weeks later that was the entry point to northern Italy. Towards the end of January one of the galleys expelled from Italy arrived in Marseilles. From Italy the disease spread northwest across Europe, striking France, Spain, Portugal and England by June 1348, then turned and spread east through Germany and Scandinavia from 1348 to 1350.It was introduced in Norway in 1349 when a ship landed at Askoy, then proceeded to spread to Bjorgvin but never reached Iceland. Finally it spread to north-western Russia in 1351; however, the plague largely spared some parts of Europe, including the Kingdom of Poland and isolated parts of Belgium and the Netherlands. The cycle of the plagues struck each generation. After a plague ravaged Europe from 599-699, plague killed in 608, 618, 628, 640, 654, 684-686, 694-700, 718, and 740-750. In the early stages of the above series, intervals are apparent.These intervals demonstrate the cycles of the rodent and insect life. Robert S. Gottfried also argues, rightfully so, that plague may have hastened cultural change. Along with plagues came the need for a cure. Plague destroyed the existing medical systems, and was replaced by a modern heir. Previous to the plague, scientists based their knowledge on early scientists such as Hippocrates and Galen. Scientists knew little about what they were doing. The medical community was divided into five part s. These divisions were physicians, surgeons, barber-surgeons, apothecaries, and unlicensed practitioners.These divisions were adequate when Europe was without plague, but were obviously not prepared for plague. Doctors responded with a series of changes are to thank for the development of modern science. Although the government had medical workers try to prevent the plague, the plague persisted. Most medical workers quit and journeyed away because they feared getting the plague themselves. There were methods that did work. Cities were hardest hit and tried to take measures to control an epidemic no one understood.In Milan, to take one of the most successful examples, city officials immediately walled up houses found to have the plague, isolating the healthy in them along with the sick. Venice took sophisticated and stringent quarantine and health measures, including isolating all incoming ships on a separate island. But people died anyway, though fewer in Milan and Venice than in c ities that took no such measures. Pope Clement VI, living at Avignon, sat between two large fires to breath pure air. The plague bacillus actually is destroyed by heat, so this was one of the few truly effective measures taken.Gottfried succeeded in convincing me that his thesis was truth. The opening chapters gave me a solid background of plague, explaining why he believes it had such an impact on medieval population and culture. Next, it delves into the affect that changing weather had on the plagues, explaining the European environment during 1050-1347; the time of plagues greatest destruction. That complete, Gottfried describes the consequences immediately following the plague. It is said that the disease killed 25% to 40% of Eurasia and part of Africa. By this point, it is more than obvious hat plague had a tragic affect on Medieval Europe, The Consequences and effects of the Black Death plague were prices and wages rose, greater value was placed on labor, farming land was give n over to pasturing, which was much less labor-intensive, this change in farming led to a boost in the cloth and woolen industry, peasants moved from the country to the towns, the Black Death was therefore also responsible for the decline of the Feudal system, people became disillusioned with the church and its power and influence went into decline, this resulted in the English reformation.After giving a full background on plague and European culture and environment, Gottfried gives solid details to support his theses. According to Gottfried, the Medical structure of Medieval Europe, adopted from that of the Romans, was nearly eliminated in the search for ways to cure plague. The spread of plague, successfully stated by Gottfried, directly depends on climate. Plague can only spread under certain climate conditions. In order for Y. Pestis, a series of complex bacterial strains, to survive, it mustn’t be too hot nor too cold.Too cold can kill the bacteria, and too hot can slow its progress. During the plague’s most devastating times, the temperature was perfect for the spread of Y. Pestis. Gottfried also describes that spread of plague can also depend on the strength of animals. Humans are merely secondary hosts to the fleas carrying Y. Pestis. The fleas afflict their host with the plague when they regurgitate the bacteria. These fleas prefer an animal host, not humans. When their animal host dies, they move on to a secondary host, possibly humans, but not necessarily.When the generation of bacteria-carrying fleas dies, or the temperatures prevent the plague from spreading, the cycle continues until all the variables once again allow for the plague to spread. Gottfried successfully conveys his point. Robert S. Gottfried achieved in getting his two theses across. His methods were to educate the reader on the topic, giving only the facts necessary to convey his point. After giving the reader information on plague and Medieval Europe, he argued his th esis, making frequent references to points he had made earlier in the book.Gottfried also made it obvious that others supported his theories. At the end of each important point, he marked it with a number corresponding to the reference in the back of the book. â€Å"Neither physicians nor medicines were effective. Whether because these illnesses were previously unknown or because physicians had not previously studied them, there seemed to be no cure. There was such a fear that no one seemed to know what to do. When it took hold in a house it often happened that no one remained who had not died. And it was not just that men and women died, but even sentient animals died.Dogs, cats, chickens, oxen, donkeys sheep showed the same symptoms and died of the same disease. And almost none, or very few, who showed these symptoms, were cured. The symptoms were the following: a bubo in the groin, where the thigh meets the trunk; or a small swelling under the armpit; sudden fever; spitting bloo d and saliva (and no one who spit blood survived it). It was such a frightful thing that when it got into a house, as was said, no one remained. Frightened people abandoned the house and fled to another. -Marchione di Coppo Stefani In conclusion, The Black Death successfully proves that a great deal of tragedy in the 13th century had much to do with animals in the environment. Death was a habitual visitor to fourteenth century Europe. Never before had humanity seen such widespread dying. Famines, wars, and a host of deadly diseases all took millions of lives during the 1300s. But the worst single calamity to wrack this troubled century was the Black Death—a plague that killed anywhere from 24-25 million Europeans between 1347 and 1351.As Frederick F. Cartwright and Michael D. Biddis, authors of Disease and History, observe, â€Å"The Black Death was not just another incident in the long list of epidemics which have smitten the world. It was probably the greatest European cat astrophe in history. † Anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of the total population of Europe died from this plague. Similar death rates took place in Asia, the Mideast, the Mediterranean, Africa, and as far away as Greenland and Iceland, thus making the Black Death the greatest ecological calamity in human history.It also conveyed that plague accelerated the progress of culture, bringing the need for modern medicine. Gottfried makes it apparent that man did not understand enough about the environment to prevent plague, maybe a message to the world today. Dense population, as Gottfried suggested, breeds plague. Early plague has educated us, and we should focus on this, plague seems to be inevitable with certain circumstances and lack of knowledge. Not only did Gottfried educate us on the past, but may have prepared us for the future.Works Citiedâ€Å"Efforts to Stop the Plague. † Insecta Inspecta World. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. . Gottfried, Robert Steven. The Black Death: Natural a nd Human Disaster in Medieval Europe. New York: Free, 1983. Print. â€Å"The Black Death, 1348. † EyeWitness to History – History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. .

“Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx Essay

â€Å"Brokeback Mountain†Annie Proulx was born on August 22, 1935, in Norwich, Connecticut, into a family of farmers, mill workers, inventors, and artists whose ancestors had lived there for three centuries. Because of her father’s career in textiles, Proulx’s family constantly moved, so she lived in several states, including North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Vermont in 1969 and then went on to graduate from Concordia University with a Master’s degree in Art in 1973 (Info Please). Starting as a Journalist, her first published work of fiction was â€Å"The Costums Lounge† and she subsequently published stories in Gray’s Sporting Journal in the late 1970s, eventually publishing her first collection in 1988 and her first novel in 1992. Proulx has twice won the O. Henry Prize for the year’s best short story (Info Please). In 1998, she won for â€Å"Brokeback Mountain,† which had appeared in The New Yorker on October 13, 1997. Proulx won again the following year for â€Å"The Mud Below,† which appeared in The New Yorker June 22 and 29, 1999. Both appear in her 1999 collection of short stories, Close Range: Wyoming Stories. Proulx emphasizes a heartbreaking tale of two homosexual individuals who struggle to be together, bound by the norms and rules of society. I found â€Å"Brokeback Mountain† to be a very real and compassionate tale of two cowboys who unexpectedly found love in each other. In a most peaceful setting, away from the world, two cowboys embody one of the most disquieting issues affecting our entire culture. The pain experienced by every character is believable as is the anger. Proulx does a great job of letting Ennis’s confusion and his accompanying anger percolate beneath the cloak of social conformity. It is a garment that doesn’t fit, yet he is terrified to remove it. Proulx helps depict the depth of pain experienced when the object of love is socially unacceptable, and the anger one experiences when forced to live dishonestly. Proulx is the narrator of â€Å"Brokeback Mountain†. She tells the story of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist’s summer on Brokeback Mountain, and the many years after that, and the deep love they develop for one another in an intolerant world. The point of view of the story is third person omniscient. The narration is real in tone and employs description and dialogue to examine the actions, emotions and thoughts of the characters. Proulx describes a sequence of events from a beginning point in time, when the characters are introduced in the year 1963 in Wyoming, to the end of the story nearly 20 years later. Throughout the story, Ennis and Jack reunite for brief liaisons on camping trips in remote settings over the course of 20 years. Proulx uses setting details to heighten the thematic significance of the story. The most effective use of setting as symbol occurs when she juxtaposes harsh and beautiful images of the landscape’s cruel beauty to suggest the difficult nature of Ennis’s and Jack’s relationship. The story starts out with Ennis Del Mar getting a job on the mountain as a sheep herder with Jack Twist. Day after day, Ennis tends the camp while Jack herds the sheep and sleeps out on the mountain with them. One day, when Jack complains about his â€Å"commutin four hours a day,† he accepts Ennis’s offer to switch jobs. Every evening, they share supper by the campfire, â€Å"talking horses and rodeo, rough stock events, wrecks and injuries sustained,† (Proulx 75) and other details of their hard lives in the West. Toward the end of the summer when they shift the camp, the distance Ennis has to ride out to the sheep grows longer and he begins to stay later at the camp at night. One evening, after the two sing drunken songs by the campfire, Ennis decides it is too late to go out to the sheep and so beds down at the campsite. After his shivering wakes Jack, he insists that Ennis share his bedroll. Soon after, the two have sex, something Ennis had never done before. Their sexual activity becomes more frequent in the following days while they both insist that neither of them is â€Å"queer.† One day the foreman, Joe Aguirre, watches them together through his binoculars. At the end of the summer, When Jack asks Ennis if he is coming back to the mountain the next summer, Ennis tells him that he will be getting married in December and then will try to find work on a ranch. Jack determines to go back home and then maybe to Texas, and the two say an awkward goodbye. As Ennis drives away, his gut wrenches and he feels â€Å"as bad as he ever had†. Ennis marries Alma  and their first child, Alma Jr., is born a year later and after their second child is born, Alma convinces Ennis to get a place in town, so she doesn’t have to deal with anymore â€Å"lonesome ranches.† Four summers after their first on Brokeback Mountain, Jack visits Ennis. When Jack first arrives, he and Ennis share a passionate embrace, watched by Alma. When Jack meets Alma, he announces that he too is married and has a baby boy. After a few awkward moments, Ennis and Jack leave, pick up a bottle of whiskey and head for a motel where they spend the night together. They talk of how they missed each other and Jack suggests that he married his wife, Lureen, because she came from a wealthy family. Ennis admits that he has been thinking about whether he is gay, but insists that he is not because though he does not enjoy sex with women, he has not been with any other man. Jack declares the same. After the two express their passion for each other, Ennis determines that nothing can be done since they both have families and warns Jack that if they are seen together, they may be killed. The only future Ennis can see for the two of them is to get together once in a while, explaining â€Å"if you can’t fix it you got to stand it.† After a while, Ennis and Alma begin to grow apart and she starts to resent him for not finding a stea dy job, and always going with Jack on fishing trips. Eventually, they divorce and Alma remarries but stays in touch with Ennis and lets him visit their children. During the following years, Ennis and Jack occasionally meet on different ranges throughout the West. One night, they catch each other up on their lives, both admitting affairs with women and problems with their own children. After complaining about the infrequency of their time together, Jack suggests that they move to Mexico, but Ennis declines, insisting that he has to stay and work. Months later, when Ennis receives back a postcard he had sent to Jack marked â€Å"DECEASED,† he calls Lureen, who informs him that Jack was killed when a tire blew up in his face. Ennis suspects, however, that he was murdered after he was caught with another man. He makes a trip to see Jack’s parents and offers to take Jack’s ashes up to Brokeback Mountain, where Jack had told Lureen that he wanted to be buried. During the visit, Ennis goes up to Jack’s room where he finds Jack’s shirt, which is covered in Ennis’s blood. Inside the shirt, he finds one of his own. Ennis then buries his face in Jack’s shirt, hoping to be able to smell his scent, but there is nothing there. Before Ennis leaves, Mr. Twist informs him that  Jack’s ashes will be buried in the family plot. Ennis would have dreams of Jack and visions of their time in Brokeback Mountain, which fills him with both sorrow and joy. The protagonist of the story are Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar. Proulx gives a good description of both stating â€Å"They were raised on small, poor ranches in opposite corners of the state, Jack Twist in Lightning Flat, up on the Montana border, Ennis del Mar from around Sage, near the Utah line, both high school drop out country boys with no prospects, brought up to hard work and privation, both rough mannered, rough spoken, inured to the stoic life†(Proulx 74.) The antagonist of the story would be the locals and society for killing Jack because they didn’t find it acceptable for a man to be living with another man. I think both Ennis and Jack changed because they were both very masculine, rough, cowboys who had never been with a man before until they had a sexual encounter with each other and realized they were in love. This change is very believable because there are many people in our society today who are homosexual, marry their partners, and even take pride in be ing gay. The story’s use of language is informal. Informal language is characterized by spontaneous speech and situations that describe natural or â€Å"real life†. It’s used by family and friends, which proves the story has informal dialogue with casual conversation. The external conflict of the story is Man versus Society. Jack and Ennis must hide their relationship because of its immoral content. Thus, they live a life hiding from their true feelings. At times they even tried to deny their nature. Because of the threat of being ostracized and possible killed, these men led a life separate from their love for one another. In the end, their prejudice, along with everyone else’s, killed Jack. The internal conflict of the story is Man versus Himself. Proulx sketches a picture of two men who live in a constant struggle with their ideas of morality and presents a devastating study of Jack and Ennis’ subsequent struggle with both their families and their work as they try to come to terms with their sexual relationship. In exploring the intimacies and sexual pleasures emerging from  this masculine world, Proulx captures the destruction and isolation, which comes from both men’s disapproval of their homosexual tendencies. Proulx identifies this conflict when she writes, â€Å"There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can’t fix it you’ve got to stand it† (Proulx 79). Throughout the story the reader sees Jack and Ennis deal with the fact that they do not approve of their own feelings. The moral norm in the American West was that homosexuals are perverts. Ennis lives his adult life plagued by the remembrance of a man who was brutally killed because people thought him to be a homosexual. In essence these two live a life that could have been a lot happier if there weren’t prejudices that prevented them from being together. What I find most interesting is that it wasn’t other people’s prejudices that kept them apart; these men are kept apart by their own morals. They truly believed that their homosexuality was immoral. The climax of the story is when Ennis sends Jack a postcard about getting together in November and it got sent back to him stamped â€Å"DECEASED†. After Ennis visits Jack’s parents and they tell him of Jack trying to fix up a ranch for him and another man, Ennis realizes that it wasn’t the tire that blew out that killed him. The locals murdered him for being homosexual and there was no resolution. As Ennis said, â€Å"If you can’t fix it you’ve got to stand it†. I found that Proulx used the descriptive settings as a symbol. The most effective use of setting as symbol occurs when she describes harsh and beautiful images of the landscape’s cruel beauty to suggest the difficult nature of Ennis’s and Jack’s relationship. For example, she describes the â€Å"sweetened† cold air of the mountain on their first morning with the phallic â€Å"rearing lodge pole pines massed in slabs of somber malachite†(Proulx 74). When Ennis and Jack begin their sexual relationship, Proulx captures its harsh and exhilarating duality when she describes Jack and Ennis as â€Å"flying in the euphoric, bitter air† (Proulx 76) on the mountain. The title of the story is â€Å"Brokeback Mountain†. The title is the name of the mountain where Ennis and Jack worked together when they first met.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Brokeback Mountain† represents all the memories the two cowboys had together and where their intimacy and love for each other deepened. I believe the story only had one significant meaning which was that although love is prescriptively understood by people as a feeling between a man and a woman, as the evolution of human beings continues, love should be looked in another way. Any two people, no matter what gender or race, can find love. Shame is a major theme in the story. Ennis’s internalization of the belief that homosexuality is indecent and punishable by death, causes him to be ashamed about the intensity of his feelings for Jack. At the beginning of their relationship on the mountain, he insists that he is not â€Å"queer,† that their feelings for each other are not indicative of his sexual orientation. His shame, coupled with his need to maintain his marriage in the face of public scrutiny, causes him to lie continually to Alma about his feelings for Jack, insisting that when she catches the two in a heated embrace, their actions are a result of their not having seen each other for years. His internalized homophobia makes him unable to accept himself or act congruently. Ennis needs to maintain the illusion of a conventional life, even if that life denies him the one person he desires most. The plot of this short story mirrors many experiences that gays have had to deal with in today’s society, such as banding gay marriages or homosexual hate crimes. There have been many incidents where homosexuals have been threatened, abused, and even killed because people don’t agree with their lifestyles. Although I was very skeptical about reading this story at first, I found it to be very eye opening and real. Proulx does a wonderful job of telling a tale of two men who develop a deep love for each other but who are forced to live separate lives in an intolerant world. I think the story will help people empathize diversity in each other and become more tolerant. Works Cited â€Å"Annie Proulx Biography.† Info Please. 2007. Information Please Database. 13 Oct. 2008 . Proulx, Annie. â€Å"Brokeback Mountain.† The New Yorker 13 Oct. 1997: 74-85.

Computer Based Interactive Learning System

Chapter I The Problem and Its Background Introduction A computer based interactive learning mathematics system program created as a learning tool; lecture tutorials help people new skills by using a step by step process. Interactive tutorial deals effectively with students who exhibit challenging behaviors; it is also an important approach to such problems from a research validated theoretical perspective. Interactive lecture tutorial provides basic introduction to the behavioral model.By understanding and applying the behavioral model, it could increase the livelihood of intervening with problem behaviors andit is appropriate for a wide variety of personnel who work with students and exhibit challenging behaviors such as regular education teachers, special education teachers, school psychologist, school administration, counselor and pre-service teachers. On the other hand, the proponents wanted to provide reliable learning application that would help the existing manual process of l earning to its learners. This is through the development of computer-based instruction system in mathematics of PLT preparatory school.Objectives of the research project To design, developed, and tryout an M-TB-ML computer-based interactive learning mathematics competencies among kinder pupils in PLT College Incorporated. The interactive material will be in tagalog. Specifically the research project aims: 1. To identify the existing infractural materia (in pront form) used in learning mathematics for kinder pupils. 2. 3. To try this among a small group of pupils to determine its effort on their learning and enjoyment. Theoretical and Analytical Framework The paradigm shows the implementation of computer-based instruction system.This learning process design is a break-through in the field of education. With this, it provides accessibility, reliability and credibility to learners through efficient method, strategy and technique of instruction procedures. * Method * Strategy * Techniqu e * Accessibility * Reliability * Credibility Computer – Based Instruction System in Mathematics of PLT Preparatory School Significance of the Study This study is significant to PLT Preparatory School. Specifically, it is very beneficial to the following entities: Pupils – could have easier understanding that would relate well in the learning process.Teachers – could lessen the burden in the manual lessons preparation such as visual aids and test questions. Researchers – could provide reliable tool that enhances its learning process. Future researchers – could be an essential guideline and basis for future studies in line with tutorial design. Scope and Delimitation The proposed computer-based interactive learning mathematics limit itself for the preparatory school. When it comes to learning process, the integration of multimedia (e. g. sounds, videos) and animation (e. g. objects) is very much included for reliable delivery of lessons.In the asses sment process, examination is integrated with a friendly user approach through multiple of choices to learners. Progress chart for every learner is provided for monitoring purposes by teachers. Definition of Terms Computer-based – According to wiseGEEK (2013) stated as a term that can be used to describe virtually any kind of learning program using computers as a central staple. This approach to learning takes advantage of the interactive elements of  computer software, along with the computer’s ability to present many different kinds of media.Lesson Delivery – It is a systematic method/procedure of instruction to learners with the objective of imparting reliable knowledge. Lesson Accessibility – A method of instruction delivery that is easy for learners to adopt. On the other hand, it is a method that is internet-base delivery of instruction to learners. Lesson Reliability – It refers to the content of instruction that contains consistent knowle dge to learners. Method – It is a set of procedures that teachers utilize in the learning process to learners. Preparatory School – This is a level category in education that focuses on kids learning environment.Strategy – A  method  or  plan  chosen to  bring  about a desired  future, such as achievement of a  goal  or  solution  to a  problem (Business Dictionary. com, 2013). System – A  set  of  detailed  methods,  procedures  and  routines  created to  carry  out a specific  activity,  perform  a  duty, or solve a  problem (Business Dictionary, 2013). Technique –   a procedure used to accomplish a specific activity or task (Wikipedia, 2013). Teaching Process – are those things undertaken by the teacher in order to promote and support learning by the students (Webb, 2013). Teaching Tool – It is a device or instruments that can help in the teaching process to students.