Apples Organisation Learning Essay Example for Free

Apples Organisation Learning Essay This paper is the report of the research done on Apple as a learning organization, the purpose of the assignment is to understand how you can identify the organization which learns, what their business is, and map out their learning cycle. Other objectives of the researchers are to understand how learning theories are applied in real world and to identify which theory is most suitable for Apple’s learning style. 1. Introduction This paper discuss about learning organizations, the case subject for this paper is Apple computer. The purpose of this study is to understand the real example of learning organization and to clarify the organizations which are flexible and adaptive from rigid organizations, this clarification help one to understand the advantages and disadvantages of organizational learning. Furthermore while doing this research one will learn how to do company analysis, and make a company profile which is vital for every organizations to have one. Also we will look at how Apple is implementing organizational learning, assess it, and what are other strategies Apple uses to implement and maintain organizational learning. Company profile ; Background Apple, founded in 1976 by Steven P. Jobs and Steve Wozniak, is the world’s largest technology company in terms of market capitalization, taking the lead from its long-time rival Microsoft in 2010. Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs had been friends in high school, they had both been interested in electronics, and both had been perceived as outsiders. They kept in touch after graduation, and both ended up dropping out of school and getting jobs working for companies in Silicon Valley, Woz for Hewlett-Packard, and Jobs for Atari. Wozniak had been dabbling in computer-design for some time when, in 1976, he designed what would become the Apple I. Jobs, who had an eye for the future, insisted that he and Wozniak try to sell the machine, and on April 1, 1976, Apple Computer was born. Sculley became the de facto head of Apple in May 1985. Over the next few months, Apple was forced to lay off a fifth of its work force, some 1,200 employees. The company also posted its first quarterly loss. All this

The effect of the use of video texts on ESL listening test-taker perfor

Elvis Wagner investigated the use of video texts in testing the listening of ESL students within the experiment exhibited in his article, â€Å"The effect of the use of video texts on ESL listening test-taker performance.† While the article itself was based heavily around the experiment conducted to test the effectiveness of video texts in testing listening, Wagner posed very interesting questions which he hoped his findings would portray. Wagner’s first question was the most interesting and asked, â€Å"1. To what extent does the use of video texts on an ESL listening test affect test-taker performance on that test? Do those test-takers in the video condition score higher or lower than the test-takers in the audio-only condition?† (498); this question addresses the usefulness of testing listening with video texts while comparing its effectiveness to the control of audio-only. Studying the effects of video texts in listening test taking situations could help English language learners to better comprehend their test and ultimately improve their English skills, depending on the final data analysis. To better understand the constructs behind Wagner’s study, it becomes necessary to investigate the background in studies used to assess the use of video texts in listening testing. Wagner provides many conflicting studies and data in the background section to show that one way of presenting the testing has not been proven better over the other. By sharing that Kellerman’s (1992) observation that â€Å"The use of video texts allows listeners to view kinesic behavior of speakers† (494); Wagner not only provides one side of the listening in testing argument, but also aids his readers in establishing why his experiment was necessary. A view tha... ...texts in testing listening for English language learners, but further study is required before test formats are changed. Wagner makes sure to include that there are different forms of listening that we are trying to teach English language learners and the ways we test them should branch from those goals. For example, if we are trying to teach students how to listen to a radio broadcast, providing a video to teach that skill would not be as beneficial as an audio-only test, the inverse is true for teaching face-to-face communication and listening. While Wagner’s study showed that â€Å"the use of video texts on a test of L2 listening ability led to increased group test performance† (509), this study only focused on group results instead of individual. There is so much more that can be done to investigate the use of video texts, Wagner is just scratching the surface.

Catharsis in As You Like It Essay

Literature is meant to teach. Its purpose is to shed light upon the soul and offer up the best and worst of humanity. All the stories we read, all the characters we relate to and begin to understand, they all have a tale to tell and a lesson to be learned. This is precisely what makes literature so vital to the human spirit. It is here that we enter the world of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It , a story set in a fantastical forest. As we follow the true love of Orlando and Rosalind and the brotherly betrayal by Oliver and Duke Frederick, readers begin to have a spiritual renewal, a cleansing of their spirit, while observing the conflicts that take place. As You Like It is a play where characters seek out truth and simplicity in the Forest of Arden, a mystical place that offers a chance for time to stop and the mind to mend. We come to believe, through the text, that there is an element of evil, but that it only exists in the court and society outside the forest. William Shakespeare involves â€Å"his characters in issues and events which force decisions literally touching the emotional strings of tragedy† (Champion 447) but without the death, destruction, and despair typical of that genre. The characters are safe to experience a new type of living while in the confines and safety of the wood and hopefully restore a balance they all so dearly strive for. The concept of catharsis was first discussed by Aristotle in his treatise Poetics , which was primarily a work on the aesthetics of poetry. He believed that â€Å"the poet’s aim is to produce pleasure in the spectator by eliciting from the representation the emotions of pity (for others) and fear (for oneself)† (â€Å"oetics†). He was in firm disagreement with his teacher Plato on the validity of catharsis, believing that the purging of emotions is beneficial. Although most readers associate catharsis with tragedy, especially works like Macbeth and King Lear , it is easily found in Shakespeare’s comedies. William Thompson, in his essay â€Å"Freedom and Comedy†, explains the differences between these two genres: â€Å"Comedy offers a way out, a rebirth; tragedy also offers a way out, but it is a way through evil, through death. Comedy avoids evil; tragedy confronts it† (216). Tragedy is a necessary element in a comedy; without out it there would be no conflict, thus no harmonious resolution for the end of the play. The moral lessons are not always as clear in As You Like It , as compared with the tragedies, but the same cathartic process takes place nevertheless. It is precisely through the mishaps and misfortunes of comedic characters, and the optimistic end they all experience, that gives the reader a â€Å"purification of †¦ emotions by vicarious experience† (â€Å"Catharsis†). The themes and actions of As You Like It reinforce, in a cathartic process, that evil, hate, and wrong-doing can be overcome with love, simplicity, and the generous nature of the human spirit. HBO’s As You Like It A fine example of the night and day relationship between brothers, and the spiritual renewal with both character and audience, is exemplified with the Dukes. At the beginning of the play the reader is informed that Duke Senior, the rightful ruler, has been usurped by his brother, Duke Frederick, and banished to the woods. Charles, a wrestler within the court, says that Duke Senior has â€Å"many young men flock to him every day and / fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden / world† (13; I. i. 116-118). We are given a comparison between the evils represented within the new court and the timelessness of the Forest. Duke Frederick, the usurper, continues his path of paranoia and wickedness when accusing his niece, Rosalind, of being her father’s spy. He commands: â€Å"Mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste, / and get you from our court† (37; I. iii. 40-41). Frederick not only wants his wronged niece out of court for fear of spying, but also because Rosalind is pitied by the people, and is a constant reminder of Frederick’s actions against his beloved brother. He rightfully wants to lead without his â€Å"good† brother overshadowing him in his subject’s eyes. All of the action up to this point is showing conflict and tragedy to the audience in preparation for the happy resolution of these events, giving a realistic depth to the problems faced, and allowing the audience to relate on a personal level. On the other hand, in the forest, Duke Senior is happy and content. He opens Act Two with a rousing speech championing simplicity and joy: Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile, Hath not old custom made this life for sweet Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court? Here we feel not the penalty of Adam, (49; II. i. 1-5) How striking it is that after being overthrown and having his life shattered, Duke Senior finds joy, happiness, and freedom within the Forest of Arden – that the â€Å"penalty of Adam† does not touch him there. It gives hope to the readers – which changes in circumstances, that evil done by intimates, can still transform into something more valuable. To be cliche, yet appropriate, as one door closes, another opens. William Thompson theorizes that â€Å"comedy is a play about freedom, a play in which evil is mastered† (218). Here is the first instance of comedic catharsis, of evil being faced head on and destroyed – it is the spiritual renewal of Duke Senior’s soul after seemingly tragic events that would and does break other men. Another instance of the cathartic elements between brotherly conflicts occurs with Oliver and Orlando. The play opens with Orlando bemoaning his current affairs to his faithful family servant – â€Å"He [Oliver] keeps me rustically at home †¦ for call you / that keeping for a gentlemen of my birth that / differs not from the stalling of an ox† (7;I. i. 6-9). He is angered by the Elizabethan tradition that gives the eldest son the whole inheritance, and offers nothing to the siblings. While speaking with Oliver, during a physical altercation, Orlando accuses: My father charged you in his will to give me good education. You have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentlemanlike qualities (11; I. i. 65-69) Orlando simply wants to feel worthy of others, to have the confidence and ability of interacting at the upper echelons of society, something that a great majority of reader’s relate to. Themes of insecurity echo throughout the character arc of Orlando. Larry Champion explains that â€Å"the comic experience is frequently one of self revelation† (429) which can not occur until the brothers find themselves in the safety of the Forest. Oliver is commanded to enter the forest and find his brother, one who he tried to kill and admittedly one who he has â€Å"never loved my brother in my life† (91; III. 1. 13-14). With both brothers in the forest the concept of healing enters the audience’s mind, who understands that all will have to be well in the end, for this is still a comedy in nature. Oliver, while sleeping in the woods, is threatened by a snake and lioness. Orlando comes upon the scene and â€Å"twice did he turn his back and purposed so, / but kindness, nobler ever than revenge / †¦ made him give battle to the lioness† (165; IV. iii. 134-137). Oliver continues the tale saying that â€Å"When from the first to last betwixt us two / Tears our recountments hand most kindly bathed† (165; IV. iii. 148-149). The brothers have reconciled in the face of danger, their angers forced upon the beast within the magical forest. The healing in the play must cure the brothers de Boys for this comedy to make sense. If it did not, then Orlando and Oliver would simply be shallow impersonations of Edmund and Edgar from King Lear , offering little hope, little renewal to the audience, who would no doubt see pieces of themselves and their kin in Orlando and Oliver. It is the revelation of how the conflicts resolve themselves that offer up the cathartic healing. Perhaps the most optimistic cathartic elements of As You Like It occur during Orlando’s quest for â€Å"worthiness† of Rosalind. There first meeting offers hope against the backdrop of a courtly wrestling match. Orlando is fighting to save his honor and win from his brother the right to be educated as a gentleman, for he is very aware of his status. After winning the match Rosalind gives Orlando a token of her love, â€Å"Wear this for me – one out of suits with fortune, / That could give more but that her hand lacks / means† (32; I. ii. 244-245) for which Orlando is unable to respond. He is not, in his own mind, educated and worthy of her. This predicament will cause distress and drive the comedy in the following scenes, for â€Å"the comic hero recognizes a restraint upon his freedom, but he is no reforming philosopher †¦ and the closest evil †¦ is his own impotent and limited body† (Thompson 219). The reader is now set upon a course where the progress and growth of Orlando, as a worthy man, will meet head on with his true love in Rosalind. Deeper into the play we find Orlando caring for his elderly manservant Adam. They are fleeing the wrath of Oliver, in an unknown forest, hungry and tired. Orlando comes upon Duke Senior, and his men, brandishing a sword, commanding â€Å"Forbear, and eat no more† (79; II. vii. 92). Adam is dying of hunger and Orlando is desperate, he explains that â€Å"The thorny point / Of bare distress hath ta’en from me the show / Of smooth civility† (79; II. vii. 99-101). Orlando can not contemplate a world where this show of force would be inappropriate – he is in survival mode, having released his primal nature in the woods. Duke Senior, being entirely at ease in the magical forest, speaks lainly: â€Å"Your gentleness shall force / More that your force move us to gentleness† (79; II. vii. 107-108) and asks Orlando to â€Å"sit down and feed, and welcome to our table† (79; II. vii. 110). His lack of worldly knowledge coupled with the devastating effect of betrayal from his kin, leads Orlando to a world that he believes is savage, dark, and treacherous. What we all hope for is the shedding of his guard an d the reconciliation with Rosalind in true love giving the audience and reader a strong sense of faith. His acceptance of Duke Senior’s kindness is a first step to renewing a new faith in man. It is through the next three acts that the reader will watch the growth of Orlando. From his interactions with Jaques, to the practice wooing of â€Å"Ganymede†, Orlando gains the confidence needed to properly wed Rosalind. The audience finds this story of true love inspiring, proving that gentleness and persistence will be rewarded. By the end of Act Five all conflict has been resolved. The Dukes are reconciled, with Frederick entering the wood to find a religious monk. Oliver is married to Cecilia, being a changed man, and the better for it. The two young lovers Phebe and Silvious are forever wed, although immature in love. And of course Orlando, through his trials and tribulations, becomes worthy of Rosalind’s hand. Although we know that comedies end with happiness and we expect no sharp plot deviations, it is within the journey a character takes, and the manner in which adversity is handled, that a catharsis takes place. We are left with lessons learned, stored in the collective memory bank of experience what may ensue when you take, or don’t take, action. Put simply, catharsis is the emotional understanding of what may transpire at any given moment. Through the vicarious experience with a character, the shared feeling of their passion and pain, we are given the opportunity for growth without any of the real world consequences that may follow – this is the benefit, genius, and grace of a cathartic moment with literature.

Assignment for School Essay

1. List and explain the meaning of the twelve standards of policing proposed by Robert Peel. Explain why each of these standards is still important today. (respond with a minimum of 200 words) The twelve standards of policing proposed by Robert Peel are: 1) the police must be stable, efficient, and organized along military lines (2) the police must be under governmental control (3) the absence of crime will best prove the efficiency of police (4) the distribution of crime news is essential (5) the deployment of police strength both by time and area is essential (6) no quality is more indispensable to a policeman than a perfect command of temper; a quiet, determined manner has more effect than violent action (7) good appearance commands respect (8) the securing and training of proper persons is at the root of efficiency (9) public security demands that every police officer be given a number (10) police headquarters should be centrally located and easily accessible to the people (11) policemen should be hired on a probationary basis, and (12) police records are necessary to the correct distribution of police strength (Bohm & Haley). Having an organized police force and well trained police force is essential for the public and their safety. You want to make sure that all of the policemen are not only physically capable of doing their job, but also have the basic knowledge of the field and the laws and what to do in certain situations that they might be put in. Ensuring that police officers are hired on a probationary basis will help to ensure the public that they will have the best they can on the force and make sure that they have police officers that do their jobs correctly while providing public safety. If we had a police force that was unorganized and under trained (under qualified for the position) the crime rate would likely increase due to lack of a well ran police headquarters. Bohm, R., & Haley, K. Introduction to criminal justice. (Seventh edition ed., p. 141). 2. Explain the main components of community policing. Identify the four steps in a community policing approach to problem solving and give an example of each. (respond with a minimum of 200 words) The main components of community policing are community partnership, problem solving and change management. Establishing and maintaining mutual trust between citizens of a community and the police force are essential to community policing. The community, as well as the police, needs to identify potential problems, propose solutions and implement a solution. There is a four step problem solving process referred to as SARA: Scanning- indentifying the problem; Analysis- understanding underlying conditions; Response- developing and implementing solutions; Assessment- determining the solutions effect (Bohm & Haley). An example for scanning would be observing the problem of people speeding through school zones and seeing the potential dangers for students crossing the street. Analysis would be to understand the potential dangers for the students that may be crossing the street during this time and the risk of being hit, or other problems that could occur from people speeding through a school zone. Response would be to develop a solution, place a police officer to conduct traffic and ensure that drivers are following the correct speed for the school zone. Assessment would be to look back after about a week to see if placing the police officer in the school zone had a positive effect on people speeding through the school zone. Bohm, R., & Haley, K. Introduction to criminal justice. (Seventh edition ed., p. 229). 3. Review the Law Enforcement Officer Code of Ethics in Figure 6.1 on page 200. In your opinion, which three Canons are the most important and why? (respond with a minimum of 200 words) The most important Canons in my personal opinion would be (1) the primary responsibility of police officers and organization is the protection of citizens by upholding the law and respecting the legally expressed will of the whole community and not a particular party or clique (2) police officers should be aware of the legal limits on their authority and the â€Å"genius of the American system,† which limits the power of individuals, groups, and institutions, and (3) police officers are responsible for being familiar with the law and not only their responsibilities but also those of other public officials (Bohm & Haley). I chose Canon number one because public safety is the number one goal for a police officer. Making sure that the officer will uphold the law to everyone in a fair manner is also a must, in other words an officer needs to be mentally capable of arresting their mother if it was deemed necessary. The reason I chose Canon number two was because an officer should never take advantage of their authority towards a citizen. There are a lot of officers that take advantage of their authority towards citizens and that causes the public to lose respect towards other officers, it is something that needs to be enforced. I also chose Canon number three because an officer needs to be familiar with the law so that they are able to enforce the law, if an officer does not know the laws then they will not always enforce it when someone is breaking it. Making sure that you keep other officers and public officials in line are important, if you are an officer and you see another officer breaking the law do not be hesitant to call it out as you see it; that is your job after all. Bohm, R., & Haley, K. Introduction to criminal justice. (Seventh edition ed., p. 200). 4. List and describe some of the ways to control and reduce police corruption. (minimum 100 words) There are many different ways to control and reduce police corruption. One way would be to select and maintain officers that have high moral standards. After hiring them ensure that you train them not only on the physical aspects and knowledge of the laws, but also giving ethical decision classes towards the law would be very helpful. Also having police policies and discipline towards the breaking of those policies will help to reduce police corruption. Having a proactive internal affairs unit that will conduct internal investigations will help to keep an eye on officers to ensure that they uphold their proper duties. (Bohm & Haley). Bohm, R., & Haley, K. Introduction to criminal justice. (Seventh edition ed., p. 267). 5. â€Å"Police Corps,† a military-style police academy, has been employed in some U.S. cities. The cadets of the mentally exhausting 6-month program eat, sleep, and live together in rooms near the academy with no televisions and with the constant threat of surprise inspections. Their days involve marching in military formation with a platoon leader barking out cadences, weight lifting, and classes on self-defense as well as law and criminal procedure. Afternoons are spent at the firing range, where they train with pistols, MP-5 submachine guns, and AR-15 assault rifles. After ending their days at 10 P.M. with little or no time for themselves to relax or study, they are occasionally awakened at 2 A.M. as instructors push them for practice in high-speed driving and patrolling tactics. At some point in the course, the cadets are put through 24 to 72 hours of sleep deprivation to teach them the effects of stress and lack of sleep on their bodies. The punishment for not following orders correctly is pushups. Supporters of the style maintain that the Navy SEAL–type training will help officers become more disciplined and community-oriented. Critics contend that the program is too extreme and isn’t necessary for a community police force, that it â€Å"isn’t needed in our society unless we’re in a warfare environment.†

Dalai Lamas Vancouver Peace Summit Comments

Dalai Lama's Vancouver Peace Summit Comments About a month ago, the Dalai Lama said something about women that is just now making the rounds on Twitter. His statement, The world will be saved by the western woman, was delivered during the Vancouver Peace Summit 2009, which opened on the morning of Sunday, September 27th. Although Im still trying to track down a transcript of the speech containing the above statement, the Dalai Lama participated in more than one panel discussion that day, and the event most likely to have provoked such a strongly worded declaration was the Nobel Laureates in Dialogue: Connecting for Peace presentation held that afternoon. Moderated by former Irish president and peace activist Mary Robinson, the panel discussion featured four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates: the Dalai Lama (who won in 1989); Mairead Maguire and Betty Williams, founders of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement and winners of the Nobel in 1976; and anti-landmine crusader Jody Williams, an American peace prize winner in 1997. If the western woman statement were made in the context of the Dalai Lamas appearance with these extraordinary women, the words would seem less stunning than sensible. Truly, these western women have already changed the world, and have been doing so for more than three decades. Writing for the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) blog, executive director Marianne Hughes ponders the idea of the aging women as hag (originally a representation of feminine power) and how it relates to the Dalai Lamas statement: Im not entirely sure what he meant...but I am wondering if when he travels across the globe and sees so many of our sisters impoverished and repressed he sees western women of all ages in a position to speak out for justice and to take on the responsibilities of the hag... to take loving care of the planet and its people. The Dalai Lamas comment about western women was not the only notable pro-female statement he made during the summit. In the Vancouver Sun,  Amy OBrian quotes others including a call for increased emphasis on the promotion of women to positions of influence. In response to a moderators question about what he sees as priorities in the quest for world peace, heres what the Dalai Lama said: Some people may call me a feminist...But we need more effort to promote basic human values - human compassion, human affection. And in that respect, females have more sensitivity for others pain and suffering. World-saving aside, women do what they do because its work that needs to be done. None of them do it with an eye toward winning a Nobel Peace Prize, but the acknowledgment is valuable in that it draws attention to these efforts and eases the ever-present fund-raising struggle...and recruits more followers, like those who are retweeting the Dalai Lamas statement. Hopefully every woman who forwards those words will dig down deep enough to find the source of his inspiration and understand that he honors real women whose work continues day in, day out...regardless of whether theyre in the limelight or not.