Economic Systems Essay Example for Free

Economic Systems Essay Under a capitalist economic system, individuals own all resources, both human and non-human. Governments intervene only minimally in the operation of markets, primarily to protect the private-property rights of individuals. Free markets in which suppliers and demanders can enter and exit the market at their own discretion are fundamental to the capitalist economic system. The concept of laissez-faire, that is, leaving the coordination of individuals wants to be controlled by the market, is also a tenet of capitalism. In a capitalist system, individuals own resources, either through inheritance or through industry. The individual receives compensation for the use of resources by others. This, combined with inherited wealth of the person, determines an individuals spending power. The accumulated spending power and the willingness of individuals to allocate resources to consumption determine demand. The availability and costs of resources, together with the potential for profits of firms, determine supply. In a market system the demand of consumers combined with the supply of producers determine what and how much will be produced. Socialism Under a socialist economic system, individuals own their own human capital and the government owns most other, non-human resources— that is, most of the major factors of production are owned by the state. Land, factories, and major machinery are publicly owned. A socialist system is a form of command economy in which prices and production are set by the state. Movement of resources, including the movement of labor, is strictly controlled. Resources can only move at the direction of the centralized planning authority. Economic decisions about what and how much, how, and for whom are all made by the state through its central planning agencies. Communism Under a communist economic system, all resources, both human and non-human, are owned by the state. The government takes on a central planning role directing both production and consumption in a socially desirable manner. Central planners forecast a socially beneficial future and determine the production needed to obtain that outcome. The central planners make all decisions, guided by what they believe to be good for the country. The central planners also allocate the production to consumers based on their assessment of the individuals need. Basic human needs and wants would be met according to the Marxist principle, From each according to his ability to produce, to each according to his need.

Acting For The Camera Film Studies Essay

Acting For The Camera Film Studies Essay The goal of the Meisner technique has often been described as getting actors to Live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. (Silverberg 1994: 45), Critically examine this statement, with reference to at least three different screen dramas. It is the writers belief that to attempt to examine the statement a brief recap on Meisners acting predecessors should be included in this essay. Arguably Stanislavski can be called the foundation of modern acting techniques. Challenging himself to become a better acting practitioner than the melodramatic thespians of his time .Stanislavski found that they didnt form a connection to their character or the other actors and directed their dialogue directly at the audience .Through taking notes and trial and error; he came up with an acting system. He was greatly responsible for the revolutionary change in Russian theatre, making it more accessible to the masses. Many of his principles called upon the actor to draw upon their own experiences and take an analytical approach to the character to be portrayed. He created the If principle, what would you do in a situation out with your experience but is faced by the character. This principle challenges the actor to use their imagination .Stanislavski wanted actors to draw upon their own life experiences to create the truth of their character and not to invent falsehoods. His subsequent students and followers used and developed his techniques. When these teachings crossed continents into America they were altered, whether through linguistic translation or artistic interpretation. Stella Adler was a strong follower of his teachings and travelled to Europe to learn his techniques firsthand. Through working with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, Meisner built upon the Stanislavski system and developed his own technique. The Meisner technique is about the actors truthful reactions within an imaginary circumstance.Stanislavski`s system comes across as regimented and over analysed with actions /reactions preordained before being performed in comparison. Though there are more similarities than differences of these two practitioners techniques at the core. Both believe that the actors own life experiences should be draw upon to bring truth to their character. By reacting instinctually when in character within the parameters of the text under the imaginary circumstances fresh discoveries can be made. Discoveries about the characters behaviour and the actors subconscious interpretation of their reasoning. Even through intense analysis of the text, these discoveries might not have been brought out through intellectual study. This is the heart of his technique ,finding behavioural truths which freely happen when the actor is in the moment. The ultimate goals of these practices are to bring truthfulness and believability to the character. If the actor takes on this truth of character action /reactions and fully believes it themselves ,then the audience will also. In the theatre it is generally stated that the performance is life compressed onstage but for acting on camera this must be refined. The camera can follow the action up-close and pick up on moments of doubt or an actor going through the motions. The actor isnt banging it out to the cheep seats but striving to produce a condensed realistic piece of acting. The combination of the actors own life experiences and the character`s creates this living real life under imaginary circumstances. My first example of Meisners technique in action on screen was found in the Crying Game (1992) directed by Neil Jordan. A disillusioned member of the Irish republican army tries to drop off the radar and is pursued by fellow agents. After aiding in the kidnapping of a black British soldier ,Fergus forms a bond with his captive and agrees to look up his girlfriend if negotiations for his release fall through. The prisoner Jody escapes but Fergus cant bring himself to shoot his new friend but Jody is tragically killed by his own army when they accidently run him over. Fergus looks up the girlfriend Dil and almost immediately forms a relationship with her. When He discovers that he isnt the only one keeping secrets ,Fergus continues with this affair with his new love. The reveal in the film was shocking at the time as this new love Dil was actually a man. The scene that caught my attention was the kissing scene between Dil and Fergus . When Fergus says to Dil be a good girl, go inside. Dil looks directly into his eyes and replies, only if you kiss me. Fergus is taken aback by the directness of the statement and takes a moment to recover, moving forward to kiss her. He is loving but surprised and confused and it is evident on his face. The confusion that stems from kissing another man is made apparent by the snort Fergus makes and his downplaying of the significance of the kiss by asking, are you happy now? Dils reply, delirious is charged with anger at Ferguss reluctance to embrace his feelings. The scene is important for the way in which the feelings of the characters, rather than the words they say, portray the meaning of the scene. Dil and Fergus moving towards and away from each other, looking at each other but refusing to touch and make physical contact, the awkward and defiant postures they adopt, all show the physical and emotional attraction that exists between them, and Fergus repulsion at the idea of kissing a man. Both are highly emotional and make that emotion available to each other and the audience with only a secondary use of language. The scene is a remarkable achievement for the way in which it portrays the surprise and adventure, and the newness of the experience. The characters appear not to know what will happen, and yet are alive and expectant to what that might entail. They are prime examples of Meisners statement that, the quality of your acting depends on how fully you are doing what you are doing, . The second example is from Moon (2009) directed by Duncan Jones Set in the near future, earth natural recourses have been exhausted and the moon is now being mined. Loan astronaught Sam Bell is isolated and shut off from earth as communication is down. As he approaches the final month of his contract Sam has an accident outside in a moon vehicle. Waking up in the medi lab he slowly starts to realise all is not right when the computer tries to keep him confined. Venturing outside Sam finds the injured Sam and brings him back to the lab. Is Sam loosing his mind or is the company abusing their power by cloning him. Who is the real Sam and will the company let more than one version exist. In the chosen scene for this example the Sam who has been injured and almost completed his term is confronting the newly awaked clone Sam. Injured Sam is still not sure what he is experiencing is real while clone Sam is struggling to work out why this is happening. Even though this is a scene involving the same actor and the interaction are being imposed upon each other ,the momentum is not lost and the technology of the scene doesnt draw focus from the acting.Meisner trained Sam Rockwell gives two wholly believable distinctly different performances in this scene. A man loosing his mind against one who is struggling to maintain his sanity. The battle of wills while they fight over music is well choreographed and an extreme example of acting truthfully under imaginary circumstances. A third example of Meisners technique comes from his own performance in The Story on Page One (1959) directed by Clifford Odets. A married Jo Morris is a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage to a domineering man who is abusive to their young daughter has an affair .Through a series of unfortunate events her lover Larry Ellis ,accidently kills the husband and they decide to cover up Larry`s presence .What follows is the subsequent trial by the legal system and tabloid press .Larrys domineering mother initially interfered in his budding relationship and causes more problems for the lovers during the trial. In this film, Meisner plays Phil Stanley the prosecuting attorney. After the accidental killing by Gig Young of his lovers husband, Meisner puts on a remarkable performance in the courtroom scenes. In scene after scene, the questioning and cross examination of Gig Young and the other witnesses in the case is carried out convincingly and intensely. Meisners technique, as demonstrated by the three screen performances used as examples in this paper, therefore lives up to Meisners own claim that acting should be to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. The actors all appear to be reacting to genuine impulses and motivations, guided by their feelings and by compelling motivating factors.

Principles of Democratic Education

Principles of Democratic Education What are the principles of democratic education? How are these principles and values in  tension/contradiction with our social construction of children and youth? For example, what  assumptions do we make about teaching, learning and youth that democratic schools challenge? How  does one size fits all centralized curriculum contribute to what Apple called the de-skilling of  teachers? What is lost when this approach is adapted, especially when it is combined with the  intensification of teaching? Explore the contradictions between what we say we want our students to  be when they are finished their schooling (engaged, critical thinkers, active contributors and problem  solvers) and how we are often educating young people. How does democratic education address this?  What are some of the challenges educators who want to introduce democratic principles into their  schools face? What are some of the potential rewards? How does democratic education address the notion th at all education, even that which claims to be value-centered, is political? Explain the relationship that concepts like voice and agency have to democratic principles in Education. Answer Democratic Education All beings are created as individuals and have different habits and intelligence. Ayers (2009) says that every human being is capable of infinite and incalculable valve. All of us have an exclusive intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, moral and creative force. Each person is born free and is equal in dignity and right. Each endows with reason and conscience. Every individual is deserves a community and sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, recognition and respect. This core value must express itself explicitly and implicitly in education as in every other aspect of associative living. Amy Gutmann (1999) defines democratic education  as a worldwide movement towards greater decision-making power for students in the running of their own schools. There is no generally agreed definition of the term, but at the IDEC: International Democratic Education Conference (2010) in 2005 the participants agreed that, in any educational setting, young people have the right: to decide individually how, when, what, where and with whom they learn To have an equal share in the decision-making in the running of their school and determining the rules and sanctions, if any, are necessary. IDEC (2010) supports schools which uphold respect and trust for children. They believe in shared responsibility and freedom of choice of activity. IDEC is open to schools which follow equality of status of children and adult and democratic governance by children and staff together. They do not believe in any superior guide and system. Principles of Democratic Education There are two pillars of democratic education: Self-determined learning A learning community based on equality and mutual respect Apple (1995) discusses that democratic education means that children and teachers engage in collaborative planning, reaching decisions that are in the interest of both their aspirations and desires. Those involved in democratic schools prize diversity. They consider themselves participants of communities of learning. Such communities include people representing a broad spectrum of age, culture, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic class and abilities. However, these differences do not create stereotype; instead they enrich the community. Democracy means by definition means by the people, for the people. Therefore, it gives the community a shared purpose and allows people to set aside their self-interests and work for the greater good. Common goal is the central idea of democracy. Beane Apple (1995) explain that educators who are committed to democracy know that any inequality at schools will also be found in the community. Hence, they seek not only seek democracy in institutes but also want to extent to the community. If the community does not follow democratic conviction then concentrating on democratic education is pointless, because the young people will be affected by their surroundings and the concept will fail. Democratic education seeks to lessen the harshness of social inequities in school and change the conditions which create them. Challenges by Democratic Schools Democratic school challenge the approach of teaching that follows the belief that young people are to follow the lead of their teachers and not question their ability or knowledge. Democratic approach says that students and teachers should go hand-in-hand. They should participate in not only teaching practice but also the curriculum. Democratic education challenges the conventional way of assembling the curriculum and focus on broadening the horizons. These schools need to be based on the broad definition of we, a commitment to build a community that is of the school and the community in which the school exists. One Size Fit All Today all the focus is on privatization, marketization and decentralization. So, for teachers, going beyond approved material risks administrative consents. Jungck (2000) explains in her article that there is an immense pressure in not only to redefine the methods of teaching but also the purpose of education. if the schools, their teachers and curriculum are closely knitted, more technology oriented, according to the needs of business and industry, then it is expected that the problems of achievement and unemployment will be disappear along with the international economic competitiveness. In most of elementary and high schools, the curriculum is planned by the national or state department of education. It took teachers a lot of time and effort to minimize the total administrative control over the curriculum. Apple (1995) says, that after all, it is the teachers who teach in the class room and thus they should have a say in the matter. In most Western industrialized nations, the phenomenon of de-skilling of teachers is become common. It means that when individuals are unable to control a large portion of their job, they forget the essential skills required to perform the job. Teachers have been alienated from the tasks of setting curricular goals, designing lessons and individualized attention to students according to ability and need. Now, instead of teachers who care about what and why they teach, executioners of someone elses plan are created. The effect of this practice is very hostile for the profession of teaching itself. Quality is sacrificed on quantity as a result of de-skilling of teachers. They now want to cut corner and rely on the experts for their job. Jungck (2000) tells the concept of intensification; she says that collective skills of teachers are list as they concentrate on management skills. Ayers (2009) enforce the importance of education. He says that all children and youth in a democracy deserve full access to richly resourced classrooms led by caring, thoughtfully qualified, and generously compensated teachers. Whereas democratic education I affecting the professional teachers and turning them into managers. Intensification results in lack of enthusiasm and simplistic response to innovation. Educating Young People Every student brings their experiences and skills to school. They represent their community (Ayers, 1994). In another article Ayers (2009) states that, students should be able to make up their own judgment based on evidence, ask fundamental questions and pursue answers wherever they take them. Democratic education is about opening doors of opportunity and opening minds as students make their own pathways into the world. Beane Apple (1995) explain by research that young people are more interested to learn through experience. They do not like to study from tapes because they already know most of the stuff. Teachers also dont interact during this type of sessions and the outcome is not as desired. So, democratic education Challenges, Rewards   Political Belief Ayers (1992) tell that in order to introduce democratic education, people have taken very important steps. Young people have been given space and considered while making policies. A great challenge however was inadequately trained staff. Apple (1995) says that a very challenging task was to broaden the horizon of education from the conventional curriculum. Also, in order to achieve democratic education, the community and school needed to be connected. However, the outcomes of democratic education are vast. The students are grown to be with high thinking ability and contribute to their society. Although no matter what the core value, it is always of political benefit. Ayers conclude that (2009) educators, students, and citizens should press for an education worthy of a democracy, including an end to sorting people into winners and losers through expensive standardized tests that act as pseudo-scientific forms of surveillance. There should be an end to starving schools of needed resources and then blaming teachers and their unions for dismal outcomes. Militarization of schools, zero tolerance policies, gender identity discrimination and end to limited resources due to communities historically isolated, underfunded, and underserved. Question No. 2 Outline the tenets of neoliberalism in relation to education. What are the organizing value sets and  key assumptions to this ideology? How are they aligned with or in conflict with the goals of some of the  other models we have looked at in education (for example, Deweys notion of child-centered  education) where is power and authority located in a neoliberalist model? List a few of the key ideas  of neoconservatives in relation to education. Can a person be both a neoconservative and a neoliberal at  the same time? How does the film Waiting for Superman frame particular neoliberalist ideas about  education? What systemic structures are not being challenged by putting the blame for lagging education on teachers unions, according to Swalwell and Apple? Who benefits by this, and who loses?  Discuss the ways in which charter schools and voucher systems can impact students, teachers and  schools. Why do you think neoliberalism has become the dominant discourse of educati on, despite the  fact that Finland seems to go against most of the tenets of neoliberalist education and yet scores so well  on the PISA tests? Is it the inevitable way that the world is moving and education needs to adapt, or are  there other models that should be considered for teaching and learning? Answer Neoliberalism Wendy Brown (2003) states that neoliberalism equated with a radically free market: maximized competition and free trade achieved through economic de-regulation, elimination of tariffs, and a range of monetary and social policies favourable to business and indifferent toward poverty, social deracination, cultural decimation, long term resource depletion and environmental destruction. So neoliberalism can be summed up in four major types of public policy: Free trade, Deregulation Fiscal austerity Privatization John Deweys Theory of Education Warde (1960) explains this theory; unifying principles of democracy and education will create an American society depicting creative and well-adjusted youth. The three steps are: Free availability of kindergarten to college Children would carry on the educational process, aided and guided by the teacher They would be trained to behave cooperatively, sharing with and caring for one another image. Warde (1960) stated that by following this theory the opposition between the old education and the new conditions of life would be overcome. The progressive influences radiating from the schools would stimulate and fortify the building of a democratic order of free and equal citizens. Since the 1980s the impact of neoliberal and neoconservative ideas on education in the UK and USA has been dramatic. In the UK, protagonists argued that education had been going in the wrong direction and attacked ideological attack resulting in quality of primary education in England. From the 1950s to the early 1980s those teachers were respected due to their professionalism and because they engaged in a variety of national curriculum projects. During this period schools had both greater autonomy and greater local support than thereafter (Hicks, 2004). Hicks (2004) state that money spent on education is seen as a waste of time unless it helps the country compete efficiently and effectively in the international market. The metaphors applied to education became those of the market place: parents as consumers, business as the model for education, internal and external competition in schools to bring out what is the best in both pupils and schools. Neoconservative Neoconservative is a conservative who advocates the assertive promotion of democracy and United States national interest in international affairs including through military means. Neoconservatives are not really conservative and neoliberals are not really liberal. So a person can be both at the same time. Neoconservative policies with respect to education will include; common curriculum, accountability of teachers, responsibility of teachers for education and central control over education (Apple Swalwell, 2011). Waiting for Superman According to Apple Swalwell (2011),Waiting for Superman explores the tragic way of failure of American education system. It is incorporated by neoliberal idea, shows that America had the best public education system dominating internationally. Regardless of systemic and structural social inequities that powerfully shape the lives of the children and their caregivers, the film portrays them all as equally tragic. These are children who want desperately to succeed but who are likely to be crushed by bureaucracies, bad teachers, and unions unless charters with dynamic leaders can save them. Apple Swalwell (2011) blame the teachers Union for lagging education because they themselves are unionized and bad teachers are protected by them at the expense of students. By blaming these unions, oppression of children, racial and social issues are not addressed. It also fails to address the impact of No Child Left Behind and other policies that cut off school funding. This also does not discuss curriculum change towards test preparation, mechanized teaching, and further marginalized children who are predicted to drag down test scores As the documentary points out only one in five charter schools perform better than regular school, the ultimate solution for the students, teachers and parents. Rather, the solution is not to put all children in charter schools, but rather to make all schools more like the charters. That would entail discipline, high expectations for all students, longer school days, and more flexibility to hire (and reward) good teachers and get rid of bad ones. Conclusion Finlands teachers are also fully unionized, teaching there is in a homogeneous and wealthy nation. Their educational system has access to social support system. There are many factors that are to be considered in adapting educational models. The web woven between charter schools, neoliberal venture capitalists, and neoconservative think tanks forms powerful, interconnected force intending to influence votes on policies supporting charter schools and even running candidates. These promoters include most prominent educational leaders and policy makers. Research needs to be done in order to expose this political effect and attempt to protect public institutions. Our schools, teachers and students deserve better. Therefore they need to work together along with the help of state to run a progressing educational system. Competition is the basis of improvement. Therefore, the educational methods have to be competitive with global market. Finland succeeds due to the huge safety net for citizens, whereas everywhere else cutting edges are common. Segregation, property-tax based funding formulas, centralized textbook production, lack of local autonomy and shared governance, de-professionalization, inadequate special education supports, differential discipline patterns, and other such matters need to be addressed in order to improve educational system. However, the need to adapt according to the changing technology and laws is necessary.

Affirmative Action: A Means to End Inequality Essay -- Equality Rights

Affirmative Action: A Means to End Inequality Throughout the United States, many types of inequality can be identified. What exactly does this statement mean? First, defining inequality would help one best approach this matter. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines inequality as â€Å"the quality of being unequal or uneven† through† a lack of evenness b: social disparity c: disparity of distribution or opportunity d: the condition of being variable† (Merriam Webster). Now the question is clearer, as identifying types of inequality is equivalent to recognizing the different groups that exist within the boundaries of the U.S. For instance, people can be grouped based on income, the level of education, or their position in their workplace. Inequality shown as such is easy to identify and falls nicely into categories. However, understanding such inequalities in the context of race and gender is not so simple. The median income of a white male full time worker in 2002 was near 41,000 dollars, a black male full time worker under 32,000, and a Hispanic male full time worker around 25,000 (Race: Fact File). These numbers also drop significantly for women in each category (Race: Fact File). Unemployment rates, home ownership rates, high school and college graduation rates, and even health care coverage all show inequality in America, especially in the context of race and gender (Race: Fact File). The government has taken steps to try to eliminate these inequalities through the implementation of affirmative action programs. This leads to an important issue, namely, is affirmative action a fair and an effective method of eradicating inequality? To understand and answer this question, the origins of affirmative action... ...ted States, and South Africa (in SICA Silver Jubilee).† Public Administration Review, Vol. 59, No. 6. (Nov. - Dec., 1999), pp. 495-508. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0033-3352%28199911%2F12%2959%3A6%3C495%3APOPLFI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-P {scholarly primary source, print via the internet, authoritative } Wilcher, Shirley J. â€Å"The History of Affirmative Action.† Americans for a Fair Chance, Motion Magazine. Washington DC, October 12, 2003. {popular news, print via internet, apparently credible} Winter, Greg. â€Å"After Ruling Three Universities MainTain Diversity in Admissions.† The New York Times: April 13, 2004. Section A; Page 22; Column 3 {distinguished news, print via the internet, authoritative } Yetman, Norman R. â€Å"Race and Ethnicity†. Sociology: Social Foundations of Public Issues. McGraw Hill 2003. p. 348 {secondary scholarly; print; authoritative}

Tess Of The Durbervilles: Coincidences Lead To Consequences Essay

The belief that the order of things is already decided and that people's lives are determined by this "greater power" is called fate. Many people, called fatalists, believe in this and that they have no power in determining their futures. Despite this, many others believe that coincidence is the only explanation for the way their lives and others turn out. Thomas Hardy portrays chance and coincidence as having very significant roles in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" continuously. Three such coincidences were quite influential and had large effects on Tess's future. The first being that Tess Durbeyfield's father, discovered that their family came from the oldest, (and at one time) most wealthiest family in England. Another event that occurs by mere chance in Tess's life is when Tess slips a letter of confession underneath both her lover's door and (by accident) the carpet, where he could not see it. The final coincidence would be the death of Tess's father, which not only leaves Tess in a state of deprivation, but also the rest of her family including her mother and six siblings. All of these coincidences had consequences that would change Tess's life,.For the first sixteen years of her life, Tess Durbeyfield and her family lived in a middle-class-like situation in the town of Marlott. Since her father, was a life-holder on the cottage in which they lived, his rank was above the farm laborers. However, John Durbeyfield is not in good health when we meet him and he does not put much interest in working, and instead spends time drinking. Upon returning to his home one evening, Durbeyfield meets a man named Parson Tringham who tells him that the Durbeyfield family is the "lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the d'Urbervilles, who . . . came from Normandy with William the Conqueror."(p. 18) This news suddenly changes Durbeyfield's view on his family's lifestyle and he decides that they should be living as their knightly and noble ancestors once did.With this new lifestyle in mind for his family, John's wife, Joan Durbeyfield recalls that a man by the name of d'Urberville lives not far from their home and might be able to help them in their hard times, seeing as how he is kin to them. After the death of their only horse, the Durbeyfield family must do something to sustain themselves, but Mr. Durbeyfield ref... ... comes of this major coincidence in Tess's life, because if her father hadn't died and Angel hadn't returned at just the right moment, she would not have killed Alec and would not have been sentenced to an execution for her crimes.Through each and every one of these coincidences, Tess's life changed quite dramatically. Each event that occurred by complete chance left Tess in a predicament where she was compelled to take control and do something to improve the situation. No matter where she was--in the location of her birthplace, a sheltered little town, or in the comfortable landscape that surrounded the dairy, or even in the harsh scenery of the farm-- Tess always knew where she belonged and what she was meant to do in each place. Every coincidence or occurrence that came along, forced Tess to rethink her situation and draw up the courage that to realize who she was and where she was going. The consequences that came, due to her decisions were all ones that Tess was ready for. Even when sixteen men followed her so that she could be punished for the murder of Alec d'Urberville. "'It is as it should be. . .This happiness could not have lasted. . .I am ready.'" (p.417)

A Case Study of Google Recruiting

A Case Study of Google Recruiting Google’s recruitment process is famously difficult, with candidates having to face multiple interviews (we've heard stories of ‘double figures') while those with sound work experience have been turned down due to having less than perfect college grades. As the company continues its rapid expansion, it has been forced to streamline this process, with Google co-founder Sergey Brin acknowledging last year that the company's high bar for hiring was holding back its expansion. Google has increased its workforce by an average of 16 people daily, from 1,628 at the end of 2003 to 3,021 in 2004 and 5,680 at the end of last year. Candidates have had to endure interviews with various different Google staff, as well as facing aptitude tests like this one. The average number of interviews for those offered a job at Google dropped from 6. 2 at the beginning of the year to 5. 1 in June. The company is said to be considering speeding up the process to prevent candidates accepting other jobs while waiting for a reply from Google. Candidates shouldn’t expect an easy ride though. According to the  Wall Street Journal, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said in July that the company was â€Å"able to now in fact increase the standards by which we select and hire new people†. Google is said to place high importance on college grades, which can be frustrating for older candidates with a wealth of work experience

Technology and How It Has Improved Housekeeping Operations

Technology and how it has improved Housekeeping Operations A Thesis Submitted By Lerone McDonald (ID#)-10T10553 In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science In Tourism, Hospitality, & Entertainment Management Excelsior Community College Date: February 28, 2013 According to â€Å"dictionary. reference. com† technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.Technology can also be referred to as the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, and methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem. Technology also refers to the collection of such tools, including machinery, modifications, arrangements and procedures. Technologies significantly affect hu man resources as well as other areas of the Hotel industry, more so the Housekeeping Department/area.Housekeeping is the act of cleaning the rooms and furnishings of rooms. It is one of the many duties included in the term Housekeeping. Some duties included in the Housekeeping Operations are, but not limited to: †¢Disposing of rubbish †¢Changing & washing bed linens †¢Cleaning dirty surfaces/areas †¢Dusting and vacuuming †¢Removing leaves from rain gutters †¢Washing windows and sweeping doormats. The Housekeeping Operations Department is responsible for the cleaning and he upkeep of the Hotel’s guests’ areas, to ensure the areas look better, safer and easier for clients/guest to be accommodated. The housekeeping department plays a very important and vital role in the hotel industry, without such a department – lime scale can build up on taps, mold grows in wet areas, bacterial action make the garbage disposal and toilet smell and co bwebs accumulate. Some items that are commonly found in the Housekeeping department are: †¢Vacuum Cleaners †¢Brooms †¢Mops and Sponges †¢Detergents †¢Disinfectants †¢Bleach etc.There are several technologies that have helped to enhance and make the housekeeping department more efficient. Information and communications technology (ICT), is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), but is a more specific term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.This speaks to the many different types of equipment/infrastructure that can be found embedded within the hotel industry to make work in the Housekeeping Department/area more effective and efficient. Some of these are, but not limited to: †¢PA System †¢Pagers/fax †¢Intercom †¢Inventory Management System †¢Intranet/internet/computers and †¢Biometric System Innovations in the communication system such as the use of the intercom system which is much like the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) makes it easier for the front desk to contact the housekeeping department for any request.Using one line for multiple telephones, you only need to dial a phone number that only requires three-digits or four which is assigned to every department of the hotel. The use of the desktop is very common in the current generation of hotel services. In contrast to the previous hotels, they used manual handwriting, and that also entails a lot of papers that could possible take up a lot of work space. With the use of the computer hardware system, which includes, the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse, and certain pre-installed application into the computer, paperwork and writing may not necessary.There is als o software known as the Navis Housekeeping Management system which is used by the housekeeping department to properly monitor room statuses and cleaning of rooms. Once rooms have be cleaned, the information is entered into the Navis Housekeeping Management System which will allow easy access by housekeeping and the front desk department, by doing this both departments are able to know the rooms that are available and also their status.These kinds of hardware also help in the strict monitoring of guests reservation which the housekeeping department have access to so that they will be aware of the amount of guests that have made reservations. This information is vital as it allows the housekeeping department to prepare the rooms beforehand and also to ensure that enough rooms are available to meet the demands. This type of technology also assists with scheduling of housekeeping staff and also to ensure par stock amounts are up to date.Green Technology speaks to the environmental techn ology (envirotech), clean technology (cleantech) is the application of one or more of environmental science, green chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices to monitor, model and conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts of human involvement on the environment depletion. Green Technology is also used to describe sustainable energy generation technologies such as photovoltaic’s, wind turbines, bioreactors and solar systems.Sustainable development is the core of environmental technologies. The term environmental technology is also used to describe a class of electronic devices that can promote sustainable management of resources. Green technology is being introduced in all sectors of production and more so in companies and the hotel industry is one such sector. Green technology not only benefits the hotel but it also helps the guest to appreciate the hotel and its environs more. Below are a few direct quotes from which wer e taken from ecomall. om about different green technology that are being instituted at some hotels. 1. ‘Every morning at our front desk you will hear our guest’s remark in wonder over how well they slept last night,† general manager Natalie Marquis says. â€Å"I believe one reason we get this strong positive feedback is because we stopped using chemical pesticides 20 years ago. Our rooms are ecologically fresh, which allows the human body to relax, enabling our guests to experience a better sleep than in other hotels that use pesticides and toxic cleaning chemicals, or even in the guest's own homes. 2. Patricia Griffin, president of the Green Hotel Association. She started the association 15 years ago after visiting Europe and learning how hotel quests respond positively to requests for non-daily sheet and towel cycling as a way to save energy and water, and reduce the use of cleaning products. Today you will find her association's desk cards in hotel rooms acros s America, suggesting to guests that they help the environment by not requesting daily towel and bed-linen cleaning.Various types of technologies are being implemented so as to assist a hotel to become more eco-friendly, one such technology which was developed is the first environmentally smart hotel, yes! Smart Hotel! †¢The Sheraton Rittenhouse is setting a precedent, and is part of an industry that is keen on cleaning for health, and for the environment. The hotel uses 100 percent organic cotton bed-sheets, chemical-free laundry cycles, energy-efficient light bulbs, and palm trees in the lobby with a superb oxygenation rate.Also the lobby’s reception desk is made from recycled soda bottles. A source from the Hotel’s housekeeping operations department also disclosed that all cleaning chemicals are all non-toxic, water-based, hypoallergenic and biodegradable. â€Å"Green-cleaning products also lead to lower regulatory costs, because managers have fewer toxic chem icals to track and fewer chemical-related injuries† added our source. Global Trends in housekeeping speaks to various activities and planned implementations.There are many different trends that are emerging not just within the hotel industry but specifically the housekeeping department. A few trends within the housekeeping department have been identified and are illustrated below. 1. PureRooms- a new company from the US introduced the group to allergy friendly rooms. PureRooms prepare and treat guest rooms; the process removes up to 99% of pollutants from the air, to let your guests breathe easy. It also protects from irritants such as mould, viruses, bacteria, pollen, and yeast to eliminating odours at the source and leaving the room smelling fresh.Rooms treated by PureRooms can be sold with a surcharge. The treatments include; all air conditioning units cleaned and treated with the installation of tea tree oil in the drip pan of the a/c unit, all surfaces in the room treated with PURE clean solution, high ozone shock treatment, PURE shield bacteria barrier, installation in every room of the electronic air purifier and allergy friendly bed encasements. 2. Inner Scents- an Australian invention of guest products that have an aromatherapy component to their manufacture.Ironing board covers which waft with subtle smells of herbs are a part of this company’s line of products along with other products such as pillow inserts. 3. Optii Solutions- introduced a new Housekeeping software system Optii Keeper, which revolutionizes the way housekeeping operates. This is the world's first automated, intelligent housekeeping solution for hotels developed by Hoteliers for Hoteliers and with Housekeepers for Housekeepers in conjunction with Intercontinental Hotel Group. Optii Keeper has proven to save up to 20% of housekeeping payroll costs and up to 40% of Supervisor time.It eliminates 80% of phone calls between front office and housekeeping departments and creat es a motivating environment by fairly spreading workloads among team members (http://www. optiisolutions. com/en/index. php? id=1, 2012). This helps to improve quality and staff morale and the system saves at least two hours every morning by automating the room allocation process at the push of a button. The housekeeping management team can see in real time if the housekeeping teams are ahead of schedule, on time or behind schedule and the system virtually eliminates the current expense of overstaffing or understaffing by forecasting staffing needs.Conclusion Modern technology is a driving force behind the overall development and sustainability of many sectors and the tourism sector is one such, which has benefited immensely from the advancement in technology, more specifically the housekeeping operations of hotels. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is one such advancement in technology which has positively impacted the housekeeping department. Technology has also help ed to better manage the housekeeping departments more effectively and efficiently.Green technology is another element that has greatly impacted the operations of the housekeeping department through programs such as eco-friendly rooms and smart hotels. Advancement in Green technology has helped the housekeeping department manage its resources better. With more and more hotels adopting Green technology this sees them becoming more environmentally friendly. Global trends also impacts on the operations of the housekeeping department, as new technologies have and are being developed to improve the overall efficiency of housekeeping operations.Trends such as new and improved technologies that foster effective communication between housekeeping and all other departments, advanced equipment such as washers that do everything from dispensing of cleaning agents in correct amounts and the correct type of linen, are just a few global trends which have emerged within the housekeeping department. In concluding, the housekeeping department has been impacted by technology in many ways. The advancements in technology have allowed the housekeeping to be more efficient and effective in performing its functions to the highest level.References Books and Printed Document: Brewer, P. et al. (2008). Current and Future Use in the Hospitality Industry. Bunduhn, R. (2010). Hotel Industry Urged to get Technology Up to Speed. The National Gretzel, U. et al. (2010). Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2010. SpringerWienNewYork. Ferdinand Berger &SohneGesellschaftm. b. H. , 3580 Horn, Austria Internet sources: (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. entrepreneur. com/article/201838 (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. ecomall. com/greenshopping/1greencleaning. htm