Self-Reflection of a Teaching Project

Self-Reflection of a Teaching Project Self-reflection refers to an activity or process in which an experience is recalled, considered, and evaluated, usually in relation to a broader purpose. It is a response to past experience and involves conscious recall and examination of the experience as a basis for evaluation and decision-making and as a source for planning and action. Self reflection is a thinking process in which an individual seriously considers and thoughtfully judges prior experience of the self. The consecutive engagement in reflection commonly leads the self to generate a change in conceptual perspectives My brief experience in the project allows me to understand and appreciate the art of self-reflecting. Recording lessons seems to be pretty much the ultimate method of self-reflection. Reflecting back on ones performance during a lesson is a great way of detecting and investigating the strength and weaknesses of a lesson. From preparing, recording the lesson and finally analyzing the video recording, I have learned a great deal of skills through this project. There are several mistakes that could be avoided in this project. During the recording of the lesson, the classroom should be a proper classroom with no interruptions such as technician and group members moving around. Regarding the attire, the students should have been better dressed as what a formal class should be. The recording of the lesson could have been better if by using one camera only with only one cameraman. That way we could avoid the unnecessary classroom interruptions with too much cameraman moving around the class. I am determined now that self-reflection in teaching involves changes in the way we usually perceive teaching and our role in the process of teaching. Teachers who explore their own teaching through critical reflection develop changes in attitudes and awareness which they believe can benefit their professional growth as teachers, as well as improve the kind of support they provide their students. Self-reflection is a valuable tool for self-evaluation and professional growth. I believe that experience alone is insufficient for professional growth, but that experience coupled with reflection can be a powerful momentum for teacher development. Self-reflection involves moving beyond a primary concern with instructional techniques and â€Å"how to† questions and asking â€Å"what† and â€Å"why† questions that regard instructions and managerial techniques not as ends in themselves, but as part of broader educational purposes. Asking â€Å"what and why† questions give us a certain power over our teaching. We could claim that the degree of autonomy and responsibility we have in our work as teachers is determined by the level of control we can exercise over our actions. In reflecting on the above kind of questions, we begin to exercise control and open up the possibility of transforming our everyday classroom life. The process Ive gone through in completing this project allows me to assess my understanding of what being a reflective teacher really means. Ive learned that the method of recording a lesson for deeper analysis is the best way to uncover information about our own teaching techniques in a lesson, information that is inaccessible through other method of self-reflection. There are several things that could have been avoided or improved regarding this project. I felt that the lesson needs to be more formal, or as similar to how a day-to-day classroom would be. In that sense, the students would be more in the mood of formal learning. I would also recommend the use of only one cameraman, as to avoid any other visual interference of the video recording, such as another cameraman moving around trying to record the lesson. After carrying out and completing this project, I learned that being a teacher is not a simple task that one can just sit back and do their job relaxingly. A good teacher needs to be determined and committed to their work in improving their teaching techniques. Self-reflection is not something to be taken lightly. It is a very important aspect of the step toward improving ones quality as a professional teacher. I understand now that the process of self reflection after teaching practice activities enables student teachers to benefit threefold, firstly, by acquiring contextual knowledge about interpretation of classroom situations; secondly, by discerning essential criteria for substantial self reflection; and lastly, by developing emergency responses for unexpected teaching challenges.

The secret of Wal-Marts success :: essays research papers

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, is moving into Europe, and the UK is its second target after Germany. BBC News Online's Tim Weber looks at the secrets behind the company's success. The figures make the owners of corner shops and small retail chains shudder: Wal-Mart operates 3,601 stores, employs more than 910,000 people world-wide, sales amounted last year to $137.6bn (Â £85.7bn) - equivalent to a tenth of Britain's total economic output. Patrick O'Connell: The largest retailer in the world began life as a single store in Arkansas The company serves about 90 million customers every week and has stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Argentina and South Korea. Where Wal-Mart treads, competitors tremble. UK supermarkets will face tough times, but consumers are bound to reap the benefits. Expansion Wal-Mart is the grand-daddy of all discount chains. Its huge US stores, twice the size of the largest European hypermarket, sell everything from food to clothing to sporting goods to hardware. Richard Quest delves into the secret of Wal-Mart's success Operating from cheap out-of-town warehouse sites, Wal-Mart's discount prices have trounced the competition. After the death of founder Sam Walton in 1992, the company briefly seemed to have lost its way. But under the guidance of new chief executive and chairman David Glass it soon re-invented itself. Wal-Mart offers a one-stop shopping experience, from groceries and clothing to hardware and work-out equipment Wal-Mart is now stronger than ever. Sales are rising again - up 17% last year. Strong consumer spending in the United States has helped the company's fortunes. But the main driving force of future revenues will be Wal-Mart's programme of relentless international expansion. In Europe the company has only entered the German market so far, buying 21 Wertkauf stores a year ago and adding 74 Interspar shops last autumn. Bob Martin, president of Wal-Mart's international operations, says he wants to serve "a good deal of Europe". And one of his vice-presidents, Carlos Criado-Perez, adds: "We are looking for any open door that could open in Europe." Wal-Mart wants to set up shop in cyberspace as well. Mr Martin believes the Internet is "at the threshold" of taking off and he wants his company to be "a dominant player". The secret of Sam's success Wal-Mart is a relatively young company, founded 37 years ago by Sam Walton. Sam Walton, self-made man and an American legend

AIDS :: Free AIDS Essays

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, better known as AIDS, is caused by the incurable HIV virus. AIDS is a deadly disease that deteriorates the immune system. There are two groups of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), HIV-1 that occurs throughout the world and HIV-2 that mainly occurs in Africa. The HIV virus enters the white blood cells and takes over the reproductive system of that cell and uses the system to reproduce itself. The white blood cell dies and the new HIV cells infect other white blood cells and repeat the process. If you have become infected with the AIDS disease you may not have any symptoms of the for the next ten years. The AIDS disease makes the less serious conditions harder for your body to control or get rid of because of the loss of many of the white blood cells in your body. The most common causes of death for the people with AIDS are pneumonia and Kaposi's sarcoma, which afflict 70% of the infected people. AIDS is transmitted in three ways. Intimate s exual contact is the most common. While direct contact with infected blood and transactions to babies from the infected mother's fetus will also cause the disease. Although some speculation, you cannot receive the disease from air, food, water, or insects. AIDS is a life and death issue. To have the AIDS disease is a sentence of slow but inevitable death. There currently is no cure or vaccine for this disease. There are drugs that have been proven effective in slowing the spread of this deadly disease. We know enough about how the infection is transmitted to protect ourselves from it. But too few people are hearing the AIDS message. Perhaps many simply don't like or want to believe what they hear, preferring to think that AIDS "can't happen to them.

Resume Example

With 18 years experience as a Cosmetologist, 13 + years as Brand Manager/Director of Education dedicated to protecting the health of citizens. Results of investigating problems and complaints of consumers led to the development of educational programs based on preventative techniques. Health, safety, and sanitation are the primary focus and goal practiced in both my education and occupation. I have excellent relationship building skills, highly effective at communicating work efficiently alone, and a motivated team player.As a chemistry and microbiology student independently investigated 6 + moon bedroom illnesses by designing, analyzing samples, reviewing scientific data from multiple forms of media, and reporting the results. This led to an awareness and in-depth study on methods used to sample products, the nature of bacteria, a variety of media and tests used to analyze and identify, and how to give detailed reports both written and orally. Designed study and lab experiments perf ormed by investigating sources of bedroom illnesses such as Colostomies botulism.Appropriate sampling techniques such as swabbing were used to obtain bacteria from food sources, oil, and a variety of other raw materials. The bacteria were grown and cultured on Agar plates and later Gram Stained in order to identify the gram positive bacteria seen with a microscope. Each type of bacteria sampled and analyzed required investigating sources, proper sampling techniques, growing the bacteria, and properly identifying each colony. This led to detailed lab reports regarding all aspects of the investigation, methods, techniques, and results.Developed analytical problem-solving skills, strong time management and organizational skills, maintained detail orientated records and data while monitoring time and temperature sensitive bacteria. This allowed for accurate information to be communicated with the team orally and in written form. As a dietetic student I managed a group of 6 students and 12 kitchen staff in the planning, preparation, and serving of a theme meal for 1 00 + students and faculty. The emphasis of food safety and sanitation resulted in D incident of injury or illness.Negotiated theme meal plan with team a of 6 students and 2 kitchen management staff. Communicated and designed flow charts for all students and kitchen staff to ensure all tasks were accomplished individually and as a team. Led team to practice high standards of food safety and sanitation in the preparation of each product used according to specific guidelines provided by the National Restaurant Association and FDA Food Code. These standards were met by implementing and monitoring use of thermometers and notations made on time.This resulted in healthy yet creative dining experience that successfully served over 1 00 consumers in a safe and sanitary way. Ability to analyze and report through effective communication skills and educate individuals on essential nutrients. Researched vital role o f vitamins and minerals on overall processes of the body. Developed application strategies of vital nutrients its relevance to supporting life. Analyzed dietary intake of newborns through end of life stages. As a communications student analyzed and interpreted a variety of media, practiced negotiations on civic issues, and advanced my skills in writing and speaking.This has resulted in the ability to be resourceful, build long lasting relationships with mutual understanding and effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Organized and effectively informed fellow students and instructors on a variety of topics such as the importance of community gardens. By researching every aspect of community gardens from soil to harvest was able to help plan and implement a community garden at Mount Mary College. This was initiated by a speech on the benefits of gardening and oral communication with the Dietetics Department Director.Serving as a resource plans were written up regarding the proposed location, preparation Of the soil, plants to be used, maintenance of the soil and plants, harvesting the crops, and distributing the produce. This resulted in implementation of a community garden which is maintained by students and distributed to the detent community as well as local community members. Effectively communicate with a multitude of personalities, views, and statuses as part of a team or leadership role in collaborative and individual context.Ability to compromise and negotiate divergent ideas, conflicts, and relationships through written, oral, or visual messages in multiple formats and contexts while ensuring the message is mutually understood. As a Cosmetologist I assisted well over 1000 people over the past 18 years with technical skills, highly creative skills, good interpersonal skills, effective communication, and time management skills. This led to a 50% increase in retail profits and 65% increase in profit of services. Service orientated with strong p eople skills provides lasting relationships and opportunities to generate new ones.Active listener with good interpersonal skills allows for identifying the needs Of the customer and achieving them through critical analysis of the challenges ahead and critical thinking in relation to logic, reasoning, and approach. Ability to apply theory and practical chemical application using creativity and technical skills. This requires actively gathering information and learning about the use and ingredients of the chemicals while maintaining compliance with safety rules and regulations set forth by the FDA and Cosmetology Examination Board.Maintaining up-to-date and detailed records are required for every service performed. Data obtained from monitored use of each chemical allows for possible improvements in application technique or product and correction in actions taken. As Brand Manager/Director of Education have investigated consumer complaints, written detailed reports pertaining to the results, advocated on behalf of consumers and the company, taught over 1,000 classes. This resulted in improvements in product performance, technique of application, and generated over $200,000 in additional sales within the first year.Assisted in development and implementation of investigative techniques used to attain and resolve customer complaints with relation to product performance. Thorough visual and verbal investigation with detailed data recording of product usage and outcomes allowed for accurately written reports delivered to proper authority. This led to being an active contributor to the team and mission of the company to provide quality products that reform safely and effectively. Managing and leading a team of 12 educators and 65 + sales consultants generated a 45% increase in sales for the company.Ability to oversee performance of educators and sales consultants while assisting them in attaining their goals through advocating for consumer needs as well as safe metho d of product usage. Planned, coordinated, and directed creative marketing plans and events for individual and corporate level establishments. Resulting in achieving sale goals and brand marketing. Demonstrated and effectively communicated a well designed program retaining to the safe and effective use of product and techniques of application.This provided uniform delivery of information to consumers from all educators and sales consultants. Allowing for less confusion and decrease in risk of unsafe product usage. Resulting in desired outcome of product use and consumer loyalty. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Eastern Hair Artists Cosmetologist March 2002 to current As a Cosmetologist I developed and practiced service oriented behaviors designed to assist individuals in attaining a desired outcome by utilizing a variety of techniques, skills, and duties.My duties included continuing education, secretarial jobs, actively learning new technical skills brought out by advancements made in products a nd techniques of application while maintaining compliance with all federal and state regulation. Staying current in technique and product knowledge requires seeking training through the Department of Regulation and Licensing as well as communication with local product distributors. Continuing education hours are accomplished by attending training sessions both online and in a classroom.Online classes provide current sanitation laws required by the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing and Cosmetology Examining Board. Classroom training sessions consist of learning details of product usage and safety precautions through hands on experience working with the products. Secretarial duties include scheduling appointments and maintaining records. Communication skills are used to determine the needs of the customer and schedule the time necessary to perform services while answering any questions the customer may have.Records are maintained in detailed client files provid ing information regarding allergies, medications, services performed, products used, dates of services, processing times and applications. Attaining desired results is a duty that requires careful analysis of data, an understanding of chemicals, analytical thinking, and creativity. By analyzing detailed client profile records the chemicals used to perform the services must be carefully thought out. For example, if a client is allergic to particular ingredients an awareness of what is in the products must be acknowledged and determined as fit or unfit for the service.Analysis of the integrity of the hair and chemical components in a product must also be thought out and determined as fit or unfit for the service. By listening without interruption, interpreting the message, and creating a mutual understanding along with the careful analysis of data obtained creativity leads to the desired result. Taking action to ensure a safe environment is a duty performed by maintaining compliance w ith safety and sanitation regulations. This is accomplished by keeping a sanitary' station with chemical use and storage in compliance with regulation guidelines as well as clean and sanitary tools such as combs and shears.To maintain up-to-date compliance, the Cosmetology Examining Board and Department of Regulation and Licensing web sites roved safety rules and regulations set forth by federal and local government agencies. Four Star Beauty Supply/Nexus Beauty Products Company/Essence Hairier Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 1996-2009 As Brand Manager/Director of Education assisted in investigations, communicated findings of the investigation, advocated for positive changes, and educated others by utilizing a variety of techniques, skills, and duties.My duties included developing and implementing techniques of investigation, maintaining open communication, working as a member and leader of a team, and coordinating events. Duties involved in developing and implementing investigations entailed working with consumers and other regional Management or Directors through written and verbal communication. Careful records were maintained regarding observations, reactions, concerns, and issues encountered by consumers. This was carried out by regular emails, phone conversations, and detailed reports of problems encountered by consumers.Working with the team of Managers and Directors allowed for compiling data that resulted in improving product performance and techniques used to perform services. Once improvements were made or advancements in technique were signed a follow up conversation provided strategies to reconcile consumer complaints. Actions taken to ensure understanding of the strategies designed to reconcile concerns where handled with open communication through email, telephone, and personal appearance.Coordinating and design inning classes for consumers, education team members, and sales consultants required communication with a variety of individuals and est ablishments, booking guest speakers, and overseeing marketing media. Keeping open lines of communication allowed for determining the need to coordinate and design classes that fit needs of consumers in determined areas. Booked appropriate guest speakers by communicating with them in regard to availability and specified topic to be covered. Worked with a team of graphic designers to design marketing materials such as posters and fliers.

Mikes Bikes Marketing Plan Essay

Executive summary: M3p bikes corporation is a bicycle manufacturing company that provides products and services to the local community of Sydney NSW. Our production plant manufactures a variety of bicycles which we sell to customers through a variety of retailers & wholesalers including bike shops, sport shops & discount stores. The main idea of the strategy is to take the middle route in regards to marketing, operations & finance. This way, we would not be lagging in any sector, and thus no other firm can take advantage of us in any sector. By marketing sure we have reputable investments in advertisement, public relations, distribution and etc, we would be able to watch the market and pounce on opportunities that may rise, while not worrying about all of our other sectors of business, that s for the very early rollovers (The introduction of mountain bike). For the next coming years we will be introducing another 2 different types of bikes, Road bike, & youth bike. Each of the 2 bikes will have its own  strategy. Our road bike product strategy will be based on high pricing, lower volume and that for the reason Road bike segment are not sensitive to price as other segments some will pay up to 2500$ for the right bike, all what customers care about in this segment is the Quality of the bike. We will not be focusing too much on advertising since this segment focus more on the advice of a sales assistance, word of mouth & Friends past experience. The youth bike segment product strategy will be based on low price, higher volume. Product has to be durable, but also relatively inexpensive while having the best image on the block. Youth Bike segment is very large, the demand for a product is determined by many factors in addition to the product attributes. These also include a focus on Advertising and distribution. All we want to make sure is that we are not lagging extremely behind in any sector, but at the same time not spread our money out in too many sectors without a focus. While maintaining a small balance, we will spend the majority of our funds in a sector such quality, so that we know that we have a great competitive edge in one area. Thus, we will be able to focus our products, lines of bikes, marketing around that one area to reduce dispersed expense. Over all, our team will do well in the industry. We will be able to maintain high sales and revenue that kept our management and staff motivated. Teamwork and morale in our firm is outstanding and we will be giving shareholders and a customer continues support. Our company is operating in a western capitalist economy with a population of approximately 15 million people. Customers are having high income and want from a particular bike to suit their individual needs. Market is separated into the three sections. The low cost Youth Bike, mid-range Mountain Bike and the high end Road bikes. Due to the very competitive market, government is regulating and prohibiting competition from other countries. Only local manufactures are able to produce, at the beginning just Mountain Bike segment, later on the rest two also. Consumers are not limited to a single market, many of them will be  purchasing multiple bikes, but all of them have specific preferences. Successful company will meet customer’s needs and maximize sales by growing the potential market size as well as taking sales from competitors. Every segment has different expectations most important things are design or style and technical specification. All products are sensitive because of life cycle and therefore needs to be modified through the years. Demand for the product is determined by many factors, like pricing, quality, advertising and distribution.   Consumers are able to choose to buy from three categories of retailers. Bike shops, sports stores and discount stores. Proportion is different for every bike. Every retailer is different with some specifications. Everything has to be combine, all the customers, retailers but also production needs. The better we could deal with this problem, the more successful the M3P bikes could be. Distribution is specific because the number of channels will decide to stock the products or not. It depends on the retail price, margin, unit sales history and also extra support.   Media are also playing very crucial role. There are 3 basic choices to advertising a product and public relations campaigns. There are television, internet and magazines.   Advertising is about raising product awareness level by running advertising campaigns. Every kind of advertising is sensible on different things. More money we are able to afford more multiple media are reach effectively. In the case of public relations, some products are more sensitive and some less. It also very important step to brand advertising. Having high brand awareness makes consumers more aware of company and more likely to buy their product. Maintaining a constant expand of branding is important in a process of gaining a loyal customer. Swot Strengths: – Ability to maintain the middle route – creating a well known international brand. – predict and utilize different advertising tools to create good product awareness. – Very efficient with our product output. – forecast sales extremely accurately – Producing high products on an affordable level – we are revolve around making sure we are not lagging behind in any major sector of our business so that other firms would be able to take advantage of us. Weakness – very high expenses on advertising and promotion, distribution & quality – Limited budgets Opportunities – opportunities lie within the branding bracket – continue to create a brand that is well known for quality and price. – continue to grow rapidly as a competitive force within the cycling industry. – Following the best distribution channels for every bike. – Following the safe side trying our best for not putting any debts, so we keep in control of our expenses for a certain point. Threats – threats come from our main competitors. – must continue to compete with the firms in price, quality & distribution. Vision: M3p bikes are dedicated to providing quality products and services to our valued customers at affordable prices. Mission statement: Provide quality and affordable products, Put customers first, Increase profits, m3p bikes is a manufacturer committed to make FUN affordable for everyone. We are committed to not only the sport of cycling, but the Joy that a long ride bike can bring. We spark healthy living family bonds in our community by having the most affordable prices and ensuring top-notch customer satisfaction. We make certain that everyone who buys one of our cycles also receives a basic safety guide. Above all else we here at m3p bikes believe in good, clean active fun. Values: Focus on customers, Social responsibility, Integrity, Teamwork, Opportunity and issue analysis * Mantain a brand that is well known for quality and price: M3p Bikes has the increasingly developed infrastructure for bicycles. * Rapidly grown as a competitive force within the cycling industry: While the bicycle industry is affected to some degree by the circular nature of the economy, bicycle and accessory sales never fall completely flat since there are many people that ride bikes regardless if it is economic boom or bust. * Competitors: There are another 6 companies competing the market with M3p Bikes. Key of success: * Reliability. * Convenience. * Unbeatable selection of quality. * Outstanding customer service. Critical Issues: M3p Bikes is still in the speculative stages as a start-up organization. The critical issues that it faces are: * The need to take a conservative approach to expansion. Expansion must not occur for the sake of growth in itself, but should occur because the customers will be better served. * Continue to build brand awareness, driving customers to M3p Bikes. * Maintain good relationships with suppliers. Goals & objectives Goals are the milestones by which achievement of the purpose statement are measured. The Goals also represent the vision for the company system in the future. In order to implement the purpose of the M3p Bikes Plan, the following goals are/will be established: 1. Mantain the high quality of sales and services that M3p Bikes is known for. 2. Maintain a financially healthy business and validate the trust and advocacy of other people in support of this business purchase. 3. Develop bicyclist safety Achieve monthly and yearly sales better than the previous year under the former owner. Focus marketing on our high quality to maintain current growth in sales and service revenue. General information about, Segmentation, targeting, strategies & marketing mix: Marketing Strategy * Promotional campaign: M3P Bikes will be visible at the two major industry trade shows. 75% of the retail bicycle shops attend at least one trade show a year. The shows provide retailers an opportunity to view upcoming products and chat with representatives from the companies as well place pre-season orders. This  campaign will also encourage retailers to stock and promote our bikes. We will provide them a small percentage of profit for that. Extra support is useful to achieve short term boost in distribution coverage as our product is new in market. We are offering discounts, brochures, trials to attract customers. Target market Bikes are such kind of transport system that can be used by all kind of people. we got 3 different kinds of bikes. In 1st year we are only focusing on mountain bikes. After 2 or 3 years of our company we are going to launch bikes in the market such as, Road bikes and Youth bikes. We have different target markets for these different kinds of bikes.

Emily: A Case Study in Adolescent Development Essay

Abstract This case study details the developmental milestones of an adolescent girl named Emily. Emily is 12 years old and lives with her mother who is a single parent. According to many theorists and researches, because she is being raised by a single mother, Emily is an at-risk adolescent who may have trouble properly hitting developmental milestones along with her peers. After observing Emily in her natural environment, then spending time interacting with Emily and interviewing her mother Elizabeth, I found that Emily is a typically developing adolescent. Emily has developed before or along with her peers physically, cognitively, and psychosocially. Emily appears to be developing a healthy sense of independence and self concept. Finally, Emily is healthy and appears to be progressing through puberty at a normal rate. Emily: A Case Study In Adolescent Development Emily is a 12-year-old girl. Since birth she has lived with her mother Elizabeth in a small South Carolina town – population 60,000. She was an only child until three years ago when her brother Wade was born. Emily’s mother Elizabeth is a single mother. Emily has never met her own father but had grown close to Wade’s father, her step dad, when he died nine months ago from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Emily’s mother According to Milstead and Perkins (2010), a child’s family is central to their successful development. Their research suggests that children who are raised in non-traditional families are at a disadvantage is all areas of development as well as socioeconomically. This case study will examine typical physical, cognitive, and psychosocial milestone of adolescent children and if 12-year-old Emily has been negatively affected in these areas as a result of her living in a single parent home. LITERATURE REVIEW At 12 years old Emily is entering adolescence. It is during adolescence that puberty begins. The time of adolescence is a time of rapid changes and physical growth in children. Rapid growth occurs in the bones and muscles, changes in body shape and size occur, and sexual maturation begins, essentially ending childhood. Beginning with hormonal changes, including an increase in estrogen and progesterone, girls typically begin experiencing pubescent changes at the approximate age of eight. Soon after, the uterus and vagina begin to grow larger and girls begin to develop breast buds. Around the age of eleven, girls begin to develop pubic hair. Girls can expect their weight and height to increase during this time as well. As girls a girl’s body begins to prepare for menarche, their hips will become wider. The first menstrual period typically occurs around the age of twelve; however, this can happen earlier for some girls and much later for others. Puberty continues through the age of 18 as girls breasts fully develop and their first ovulation occurs (Berger, 2011). In addition to sexual development during puberty, adolescents develop physically as well. A growth spurt occurs during adolescence where nearly every body part grows, most notably at different and uneven rates. According to Berger (2011), the fingers and toes of an adolescent grow longer before the hands and feet. The hands and feet grow longer before the arms and legs, and the arms and legs grow longer before the torso. It is not uncommon for an adolescent’s body to appear unsymmetrical. â€Å"One foot, one breast, or even one ear may grow later than the other,† (Berger, 2011, p. 393). The hormones responsible for puberty and growth spurts in adolescent girls are also responsible for emotional changes. It is not uncommon for girls experiencing these hormone changes to have sudden outbursts of anger, sadness, or even lust. Neurological changes occur as the â€Å"limbic system, responsible for intense fear and excitement from the amygdale, matures before the prefrontal cortex, where planning ahead, emotional regulation, and impulse control occur,† (Berger, 2011, p 400). These neurological changes often lead adolescents to throw caution to the wind, especially in social situations. Adolescents are more likely to act impulsively. Their impulsive behaviors coupled with their increase in hormones and interest in  sexual activities puts adolescents at risk for sexual abuse and early pregnancy (Berger, 2011). During adolescence, physical and hormonal changes aren’t the only changes occurring. Brain maturation also occurs and cognitive growth increases. Adolescent children will experience increased independence, a heightened sense of self-consciousness, the ability to think more abstractly. According to Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher, Jean Piaget, adolescents develop the ability to use abstract logic, in contrast to children in early and middle childhood who primarily only have the ability to think in concrete terms (Goncu, & Abel, 2011). In addition, during adolescence, identity struggles often begin. Developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst, Erik Erickson, described this stage of development as identity versus role confusion. According to Erickson, an adolescent’s mission during this state is to unearth who they are as individuals, apart from their families and as members of society at large. Futile navigation of this stage, according to Erickson, results in role confusion and upheaval. Adolescents develop a sense of personal identity through many avenues including religion, politics, natural abilities, and gender. Merging childhood events, social ideals, and their distinctive ambitions, identity is developed. However, according to Erickson, adolescents seldom reach identity and role confusion is more probable (Boddington, 2009). OBSERVATION AND INTERACTION Emily is attending a birthday party for one of her peers at school. The party is being held at a local church, in the church’s social hall. According to Emily’s mother this is not the first birthday party that Emily had attended where both boys and girls are present; however, it is the first co-ed party that she has attended since she began showing an interest in boys. Most of the girls are wearing dresses and shoes with modest heels; their hair perfectly tended to with hints of gloss on their lips and blush on their cheeks. Emily wears blue jeans, a blue and white stripped long sleeved shirt and boat shoes. Her normal blond curls have been flattened with a straightening iron, according to her mother. Emily likes her hair better  straight and she hates dresses. Emily is tall, standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. She weighs 150 pounds. Her body is well proportioned and she does not appear to be overweight. Emily has developed breasts and she has the appearance of some acne on her chin and forehead. The overhead fluorescent lights are dimmed in the social hall but the area is lit well with blue, red, and green lights which flash in sync with the music playing over a pair of large speakers. A DJ encourages the 28 eleven and twelve year olds to join the only two boys on the dance floor. The room is divided. Girls stand near a row of metal folding chairs lining a wall. The boys gather near a stage on the far end of the room. Emily’s mother Elizabeth is also attending the party as a chaperone. Elizabeth motions for Emily to come to her three times during a thirty minute period in an effort to encourage Emily to join the others on the dance floor. Each time Emily ignores her mother’s encouragements. The third time Emily’s eyes grow wide and from across the room she mouths the word â€Å"stop† to Elizabeth. Nearly an hour into the party, the girls scream with delight when a popular song begins to play and several rush to the dance floor. Emily rushes to the dance floor with a number of other girls and they begin to dance to the music. Song after song, Emily and her group of friends stay on the dance floor. They stop occasionally to chat with one another but never leave the dance floor. Emily dances and laughs with her female friends for nearly an hour before the group is called to have birthday cake and watch as the birthday girl opens presents. While the children are eating Emily socializes with both her female and male friends. She is particularly friendly with a male named Dawson. The two stand beside one another and talk while their friend opens her birthday presents. She playfully hits him on the arm six times during their exchange. She blushes as he playfully hit her back. Soon the group of adolescents is back on the dance floor for another half hour of dancing before the party is over. This time both the boys and girls are on  the dance floor together. Emily dances alongside both her female and male friends for the remainder of the party. As the party comes to close, Emily hugs each one of her female friends’ goodbye as they leave. When Elizabeth summons Emily to leave the party, Emily shouts out to Dawson, telling him goodbye. On Sunday afternoon, Elizabeth welcomes me to spend time with Emily in the family’s home. Emily’s family lives in a modest three bedroom, two bath house in a popular neighborhood on the North side of town. Their large fenced in back yard is filled with bright colored, plastic play-things belonging to Emily’s younger brother Wade. Emily’s purple Next bicycle leans against a wall in the home’s garage. The bicycle is much too small for her growing stature and Emily readily admits that she hasn’t ridden the bike in at least a year. Nothing else in the yard or garage suggests that a young girl live there but inside the home tells a different story. On the kitchen counter lays a knotted green ribbon with long blonde hairs tangled within the knot. Emily explains that she wore the ribbon on St. Patrick’s Day this year because she had no other green in her wardrobe. Lying on the family couch is a blue and purple fleece blanket and a fuzzy heart -shaped fuchsia pillow donning the words â€Å"Drama Queen.† It’s Emily’s favorite pillow. The floor in the living area is scattered with green toy tractors and an incomplete train set. Leaving the living area and entering the long narrow hallway, Emily’s bedroom is the first room on the left. Her doorway stands open but a handmade foam door hanger hangs from the door knob reading â€Å"Do Not Enter.† Emily’s room is pink and while with accents of black and grey. Her hot pink sheets peek out from under the wrinkled black and white polka dot comforter on her bed. Her bedroom walls are adorned with pictures of her favorite singers, Cody Simpson and Selena Gomez. A large bean bag chair takes up much of the floor space in her bedroom. A large bookcase runs nearly the length of one wall while a keyboard and microphone stand sit against the opposite wall. Emily loves to sing and often spends a great deal of her time singing along with her favorite musicians on her karaoke machine. A framed piece of child-drawn art hangs to the right of her bed. Emily says she completed the work in third grade. It depicts a boy who is seemingly stuck inside of a glass bottom room. Emily explains the technique  she used is called foreshadowing. When asked if it has an underlying leans, Emily whips her hair and nonchalantly replies that it does not. Emily is welcoming and excited to show off her space and her things, including her three dance trophies and her second place youth photography ribbon she won at last year’s South Carolina Festival of Flowers. Emily is creative and has an artistic side through her love of music, photography, drawing and painting, and dance. I inquire more about Emily’s art work and she pulls from her closet several pieces of art work sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. She carefully pulls out several pieces of art and tells me how old she was when she completed it. Before we can finish, Emily’s phone alerts her that she has a text message. For the next 15 minutes Emily sends and receives text messages from her cell phone. She tells me that she is discussing an upcoming school trip to Philadelphia with her friend Jenny. They are discussing room arrangements. After texting with Jenny, Emily shows me information she has printed from the internet pertaining to her trip to Philadelphia. Emily says she is excited about the trip as she has never been away from home for more than two or three days at a time. She will be in Philadelphia for six days. Emily says she cannot wait to go and excitedly explains how she will be staying in a hotel room with three of her female friends, without an adult. Emily explains that the girls will stay on the third floor of the hotel while the boys will stay on the second floor. Emily receives another text message just as I am leaving. She says goodbye without looking up from her cell phone. INTERVIEW Elizabeth is a thirty-two year old mother of two. She gave birth to Emily at the age of nineteen. Emily was born December 10, 1999 by cesarean section after a full term pregnancy. Emily’s mother Elizabeth reports no prenatal problems and no complications during labor. At birth Emily weighed seven pounds and eleven ounces. She was twenty one inches long. According to the Centers for Disease Control (2000) Emily’s weight put her in the thirty sixth percentile for newborns and her height put her in the ninety third percentile for newborns. As an infant, Emily was breast fed for seven months, according to Elizabeth. Elizabeth explains that as an infant, a  toddler, and a young child, Emily hit all of her developmental milestones early, including puberty which began for Emily around age nine. Emily’s father is not active in Elizabeth and Emily’s lives. Emily has never met her father. Elizabeth explains that Emily’s father attended college with her. They were casually dating when Elizabeth became pregnant. Emily’s father did not want anything to do with Elizabeth after she told him she was pregnant. After finding out that she was pregnant, Elizabeth quit school until she gave birth to Emily then quickly returned to finish her degree. Elizabeth obtained a four year degree in marketing from a local college when Emily was three. She now works for a major hotel chain as their director of communications. Elizabeth earns $43,000 annually. She has no other income. Elizabeth grew up in the Catholic Church but left the church as a teen. Today she is a member of a local Presbyterian church. Elizabeth considers herself an authoritative parent. She says that while she has great deal of expectations for her children, she also has a close and warm relationship with each of them. She says her relationship with Emily has become closer since Emily has begun middle school. Elizabeth believes that it is most important that her children trust her. She explains that she wants her children to feel as if they can talk to her about anything. Elizabeth expects Emily to perform well in school and says Emily has not ever been in trouble at school because Elizabeth does not tolerate disobedience, especially in school. Elizabeth believes she holds the three traits that she says make a great parent: she commands respect; she works constantly to ensure good communication with her children so that they trust her, and she has clear expectations of her children. Elizabeth says that if she were to give new parents three pieces of advice she would impress upon them how quickly time passes. â€Å"Enjoy every minute, and don’t take one second for granted,† she says. Elizabeth says she would also tell new parents to make sure they make time for themselves. Finally, Elizabeth says she would tell them to be honest with their children. â€Å"Share your life experiences with them. Tell them the things you did right and the things you did wrong. Tell them about the lessons you’ve learned. Children learn to respect you and trust you in that sense.† FINDINGS Emily is nine months shy of her thirteenth birthday. Emily is five feet, six inches tall. She weighs one hundred and fifty pounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control (2000), Emily’s height is greater than the ninety seventh percentile for height. Emily is at the ninety seventh percentile for weight. Although Emily is taller and heavier than more than ninety five percent of her peers, according to her mother, Emily has hit developmental milestones earlier than her peers since she was an infant. Furthermore, Emily is currently experiencing puberty, an expected occurrence at her age. She has developed breasts and she has had her first menstrual period. Emily is not sexually active, according to her mother and therefore she is currently not at risk for early pregnancy. Cognitively, Emily is progressing as a typical 12 year old girl. She displays eagerness to establish a sense of independence from her mother with her upcoming school trip to Philadelphia. She looks forward to being away from her mother, and proving to both her mother and herself that she is maturing in the ability to make her own choices. Emily’s cognitive development is also apparent in the choices she made when dressing and styling her hair for the birthday party she attended. Emily’s mother explained that Emily used a straightening iron on her hair because she was not fond of her naturally curly hair. This demonstrates that Emily has developed a sense of self-consciousness. Lastly, Emily’s psychosocial development is apparent in that Emily is working to develop her own identity. Although Emily’s friends wore dresses to the birthday party, Emily opted for blue jeans and boat shoes. Emily chose to wear what she was comfortable wearing instead of what social norms would have her wear. In addition, Emily knows what she loves. She immerses herself in her art, her music, and her photography. While her friends are participating in sports and trying out for cheerleading, Emily is comfortable in her own vocation and does not seem eager to change. SUMMARY Emily is a typically developing 12 year old girl. It does not appear that her physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development has been negatively affected by her growing up in a single parent home. While Emily’s development is far from over, for now she appears to be progressing well, and developing into a healthy, secure and socially responsible young woman. REFERENCES Berger, K. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span, eighth ed. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Boddington, E. N. (2009). _Cognitive Process of Development in Children_. Online Submission. Goncu, A., & Abel, B. (2011). The child’s conception of the world: A 20th-century classic of child psychology, Second Edition. Edited by Jean Piaget, Forward by Jacques Voneche. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc, Lanham, MD, 2007. pp. 432. Price:  £19.99, â‚ ¬31.48†¦ Infant & Child Development, 20(2), 246-248. doi:10.1002/icd.719 Milstead, K., & Perkins, G. (2010). Family Structure Characteristics and Academic Success: Supporting the Work of School Counselors. Academic Leadership (15337812), 8(4), 19. National Center for Desease Control and Prevention (May 30, 2000). CDC growth charts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set1clinical/cj41c022.pdf.

Analytical Report on a Marketing Communications Approach Assignment

Analytical Report on a Marketing Communications Approach - Assignment Example The second option seemed more favorable to Samsung because it is most profitable and because of the trend that is presently associated with mobile phones as more people differentiate themselves by the type of mobile phones they use ("Adweek." Adweek. N.p., n.d.) The success of Samsung Galaxy S3 required a well-balanced market mix. Any electronic device requires calculated marketing mix ingredients; otherwise the product might be too good for its value or not good at all (Fill, 2011, pg 23-26). Samsung Galaxy S3 required a good marketing mix for it to attain the anticipated success during the final sale of the product ("Adweek." Adweek. N.P., n.d.) This paper will discuss Samsung Galaxy S3 marketing mix as depicted from the ad and further discuss the implication of the four P’s of Samsung Galaxy S3 marketing mix and show the relations of Samsung’s products marketing mix. The launch of Samsung Galaxy S3 came at the right time when people were waiting for a smart phone tha t could provide more than what other mobile phones were providing, with its functionality surpassing customer expectations. The current Samsung’s image is that it provides reliable phones, however, Samsung Galaxy S3 was initially perceived as a phone like any other. The difficulty faced by customers is that they did not know that Samsung had introduced a phone with Samsung Galaxy S3 capabilities. The main strategy of overcoming the marketing communication barrier was for Samsung to create a stronger image for Samsung Galaxy S3, by creating public awareness, and putting Samsung Galaxy S3 at the top of consumers’ minds in the target group, with the objective being achievable through marketing communication (Laudon & Traver, 2010, pg 45-50). For Samsung to implement this marketing plan in their Samsung Galaxy S3 product, and achieve the objective, Samsung had to place the Samsung Galaxy S3’s price at a mid range of the market, with the gadget’s price being s lightly lower than that of its competitors. This clearly showed that Samsung aimed at selling Galaxy S3 to young people within the market segment. MARKET MIX According to the ad, the new Samsung Galaxy S3 had the following specifications; concerning networks the gadget had the capability of running 3G (HSPDA/CDMA), 4G (LTE/HSPA+) and Edge/2G (GSM/GPRS) using Android operating system version 4.1. The product used TouchWiz user interface and retailed at a price of $99 with contract and $549 without contract (Stuart, www.cim.co.uk). The Samsung’s software featured in Galaxy S3 aimed at impressing users with several great displays, though most of them suffered from poor executions; however, a customer can still skip the complicated part of the software and enjoy the hardware. With the Galaxy S3, Samsung managed to offer top-line performance with the product being more capable than any other phone (Gay & Charlesworth, 2007). With a great phone, a question at hand would have been t he right marketing formula for the Galaxy S3 (Strauss & Frost, 2011, pg 67-70). The marketing formula is like a recipe, that much for A and that much for B and in the end is a combination that tells a success story or a complete failure of a product, the combination constitutes a marketing mix. Prior to developing Galaxy S3, the company needed to consider the quality of the product required, in order to determine