Islamic bank in uae - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 12 Words: 3530 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? Introduction With the start of century new development in the economic front happened and the most important was Islamic bank. Financial institution around the world saw new things emerging from Islamic bank such as Islamic socioeconomic, benefits and believes to stop interest rates and unethical activities of financial institution. Islamic bank provide new methods and new form of investment for development of economy. Islamic bank has given world and financial institution new air to breath. Islamic banking has made some important political, social, and economical changes around the world. Islamic Banking Islamic bank has develop new definition for itself and it is define as a financial entity which can maximize the wealth of its share holders with benefits for the society based on Islamic principle or Islamic Shariah. (Islamic banking, 2010) Islamic banking is the banking system in which banking is done according to Islamic laws and to guide economic in Islamic terms. It is important to note that Islam prohibit and stops the use of usury and interest (riba) in any kind. Islamic banking also prohibits and stops involvement of banks in business related to gambling, pornography, alcohol and pork etc. Islamic banking has developed in late 20th century and it has created and catered the needs of Islamic consumer around the world according to developed technology of 20th century. (Islamic banking, 2010) Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Islamic bank in uae" essay for you Create order Principles Of Islamic Banking There are main pillars in Islamic financial systems which are important for Islamic banking workability. Principle of Islamic banking includes laws and rules and they are called Shariah which governs many parts of society such as culture, economy and society as a whole. (Islamic banking, 2010) Shariah started from the rules of Quran and its practices which then explain by Sunnah and by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Further explanation of the Shariah is done by Islamic jurisprudent, and this interpretation is important for correct Islamic banking. (Islamic banking, 2010) There are different principles of Islamic banking which I will cover and explain. 1. Interest: Interest is considers bad thing in Islam because it is beyond the pale in increase of capital/money in many forms loans or deposits. More importantly we can say any increase in varies banking such as fix banking, to increase the profit is considered to be prohibited because it generates unhealthy profits. Interest (riba) is prohibited in Islamic banking but also charging is also prohibited in Islam because it creates debate on equality and rights (Warde, 2000). Islam is a peaceful religion and it encourage earning of profits but it discourage the interest in Islamic banking. Social system must have balance and lender and borrower should share the profit or lose and Islamic banking provides such socially acceptable phenomena. 2. Risk partaking: Risk partaking is not allowed in Islamic banking because supplier becomes unjustified-ably the benefited rather than the creditor. Islamic bank provide financial capital and its profit and loses must be shared to decrease risk partaking in general practice of financial activities. 3. Capital: Capital is also known as potential money and it makes actual capital join with other resources to make productive activity. Islamic banking recognize the value of money and but it prefers capital not the potential capital. 4. Speculative behaviour : Speculative behaviour is considered bad in Islamic banking because it involves extreme level of uncertainty and risk for capital investment and utilization (Islamic banking, 2010). Example includes gambling and anything related to gambling. 5. Purity of contracts: Islam is the religion which inhabits purity in it and it implement this purity in contracts because contracts should disclose all the necessary information to be known. Purity of contracts reduce asymmetric and hazard risk (Islamic banking, 2010). 6. Shariah activities: Islam involves only things which are based upon shariah and doesnt violate sharish in any form. Example of approved shariah activities includes any investment in dealing with gambling, pork and pornography is illegal (Islamic banking, 2010). Banking Risk And Islamic Banking Understanding the banking risk is very important Islamic banking because in determines a competitive and volatile market environment for complex banking business process. A bank should be aware of risk when it is operating or taking any process into consideration. Below are the risk and factors an Islamic bank should consider in general banking environment. Finance Product And Instruments In Islamic Bank There are many type of financial instrument the Islamic banks use and these are sometimes simple and sometimes complicated due to various banking aspect. 1. Debt instruments: Debt instruments include Murabaha (Murabaha is determination of resale price based upon cost and profit markup), Salam (Salam define the deferred delivery of goods and it is opposite of Murabaha), Istisna ( Istisna is financial lending for long term), and Qard al-Hasan ( Qard al-Hasan is interest free loan). (Iran International, 2006) 2. Quasi-debt instruments: Quasi-debt instruments have Ijara which means leasing contract by group leases assets for specific rent and terms. The bank has to bear all the risk associated with ownership and assets can be negotiated based on market price and sale of Ijara contract. (Iran International, 2006) 3. Profit loss sharing instruments: Profit and loss sharing instrument has Musharaka which is an entity under which bank and client jointly take a financial project. Ownership can be decided based on involvement of finance in the project. Profit and loss sharing is also agreed between two groups and there should be no violation of contract or misconduct in any terms. (Iran International, 2006) 4. Islamic Bonds: Islamic bond include Sukuk which is basically a financial certificate and it is Islamic equivalent of bond. There are some types of financial certificate which are not allowed in Islamic finance such as fix income and interest baring bonds. (Islamic banking, 2010) 5. Safe keeping: Safe keeping includes Wadiah in which bank is considered as trustee of fund. A person has account in the bank, bank assurance the amount of the account. (Islamic banking, 2010) 6. Agency: Agency is defined as waqalah which undertakes persons all transactions on his behalf. (Islamic banking, 2010) Current Practices In Islamic Banking Islamic banking are collective at the point of interest free banking and they have equal and distributed basic agreed principles to work on. Islamic bank can be different according to individuality and country laws, aims and objectives, experience and circumstances and interaction based upon free from interest rates. In the coming paragraph I will describe the common features implemented by Islamic banks around the world. (Gafoor, 1995) Deposit Accounts Islamic banks have different kind of account which includes investment, current, and savings account. Current Accounts A current account equal to conventional bank account and in it deposit is assurance. Savings Accounts Saving account operate differently in Islamic banks. In few banks depositor is allowed to use money but they have to obtain assurance of getting full money to the bank. Banks allow several methods to attract customers but no profit is promised. In other few saving accounts an account is treated as investment account and has various strings attach to it. (Gafoor, 1995) Investment Account Investment account are accounts in which amount is deposit for unlimited time upon the request of the investor share is done in profit between bank and investor. In investment account the capital is not assured. Modes Of Financing There are different modes of finance which are implemented by Islamic bank and called trade, lending and investment finance. Investment Financing There are three main category of investment financing. They are: 1. Musharaka: Musharaka in which bank joins another group to setup another joint venture, both groups participate in project in varying form. The profit and loss is determined before the start of the project. (Gafoor, 1995) The concept of musharaka is similar to join venture concept and venture is independent entity from which bank withdraw step by step. 2. Mudarabha: Mudarabha is a form in which a Islamic bank provides finance and the person provides the expertise and management. (Gafoor, 1995) Profit and lose in this is also define before the start of project. But the important thing is that loses are usually taken by bank. 3. Estimated rate of return: under this type of investment bank determine the estimate price of returns for specific project undertaken by bank. If the project is finished and profit is more than estimated amount then the profit goes to the client, and if the loses is in the profit then the bank will accept lower rate. Trade Financing There are five main category of investment financing. They are: 1. Mark-up: Mark-up is the type of trade financing in which banks buy items from client and client agrees to pay to the bank on agreed profit. 2. Leasing: Leasing is type of trade financing in which bank buy item for client and client has to payback the amount in specific allowed time. 3. Hire-purchase: Hire-purchase is the purchase in which the bank buys an item for client and hires him for agreed rent or cost for specific time until client becomes the owner. 4. Sell and buy back: Sell and buy back is in which client sells property to the bank and buy back from the bank at a agreed price. 5. Letters of credit: Letters of credit is where bank assurance for importing items for a client. Lending There are two main category of investment financing. They are: 1. Service charge loans: service charge loan is the service charge where bank lends money without interest and bank covers expense by service charge. 2. No-cost loans: No-cost loans are for people like farmers with small land, producers with small production and they are very needy person or clients. Services Islamic banks also provide services which are also important such as money transfer, trade in different currencies, and bill assortment where banks own money and not involves in commission. (Gafoor, 1995) Islamic Banking In UAE Islamic bank started in UAE according the law of 1985 number 6 of article 1, 2, 3, and these laws governs Islamic bank and financial institute in UAE. (Centralbank, 1985) These articles are made so they are compatible with UAE and Shariah laws. To work in UAE in Islamic banking it has to conduct its activities according to principle of Islamic Shariah. Islamic banks in UAE have the right to conduct commercial, investment and other financial related activities openly and clearly. Islamic banks also have the right to do lending and other financial operation and they can also move their assets and benefit from these assets according to its shariah law (Centralbank, 1985). UAE has number of Islamic banks and the number is increasing each year and so the development of the UAE. (Tahir, 2006)Dubai Islamic bank is the first bank which is free from interest and it also practice Islamic banking according to shariah and this bank is based on the idea of Muslim endorsement by OIC (Organ ization of the Islamic Conference). Strategies Of Islamic Banks In UAE In the UAE the strategic management considered that it is group of decisions and activities in the present to ensure the performance of institutes in the future, these decisions included forming specific aims that should be achieved upon dissimilar periods of time begins with short period of time passing with middle period of time, finishing with the distant period of time, the strategic management consists of three stages: 1- The strategic environmental analytical stage: and it depends on studying of the two environments the interior and the exterior to the institute in order to identified the strategic management and use it in the next step the organization environment contains four main materials the chances given, the risks, in the exterior environment, and the weak and the strength points in the interior environment. The strategic planning strategy contains making four followed activities, and does them to achieve the institutes aims and its strategic plans and its differen t policies. (Pealow, 2000) 2- The execution stage: it contains put plans and policies which have been developed in the last stage in effective application, during to the application programmes and balance sheet and different other procedures. (Pealow, 2000) 3- The watching strategic stage: this stage contains evaluate the institute performance to ensure that the strategic aims applied according to the plans and the correcting procedures to correct mistakes and effective watching for the application. But the human resource strategic is decision making process relates to the human resource system that make the human resource system with the environmental conditions and to support the institutes strategic and achieve it strategic aims to face the exchange that face the institute according the environmental conditions. (Pealow, 2000) There is difference between work force planning and the human resource strategy but the human resource, so the work force planning strategy foc us on application employments in human resources management because it is a part from the institute strategy and work with it to achieve the strategic aims, the human strategic human resources materials identify through to: 1- Studying the environmental materials that surrounded the institute from all its side and the human resource system. 2- Putting on the human resources aims with supporting the general aims of the institute and working on doing them. 3- Apply the human resource private strategy that supports its general strategy. 4- Apply the work plans and policies and the private time programmes of human resource that support the strategy. Management Of Islamic Bank In UAE Now the differentiate between the local and international business demands on the banking environment the great generated development from the quick technical development that dominate on the business with two its forms productive and serving, in all organizations, and the actual of competition that depending on the employ career and modern technology, in the work sector adding development and improvement in the productions and services in all kinds and forms, that achieves the organizations aim to destroy the competitions obstacles, and apply its planes, due to the progressing improvement in the field of development and progress of the organizations strategies. And to achieve all of these things, it is necessary and duty of the managements find strategic professional management for human resources and it should be the productive and creative basic of the organization with specialist rule can be deal with the environmental changes, and to integrate its strategy with the organiza tion strategy that it deals with to use the chances and face changes and the ability to self built, that helps to achieve strategic aims for managements and organizations. The process of educated and trained human resource the most important cases that the banks and institutes related to, so on the developing nations take great importance combined with great desire to develop and improve the work performance for the workers and identify their productivity, in this research we will study the strategic management for human resource as group of modern systems that completed to achieve human resource system that aims to support the organization strategies to face changes with environmental cases that achieve its development and progressing. Challenges Facing Islamic Banking Islamic banking faces many challenges around the world. There are many challenges related to conventional banking, globalization, competition, price and quality, economy, growth, capital and long term investment. The Islamic banking has many weaknesses and strengthens which make them workable in hostile environment. (Challenges facing Islamic, 2005) Islamic bank should develop global banking industry and open their self for financial balance and attracting large number of clients for greater ability to attract the capital and providing best possible service. (Tahir, 2006)Islamic bank should also provide better rule and standards, good station, good technical system, good financial technology and innovation. Islamic bank should also regulate itself according to international Islamic financial market. (Challenges facing Islamic, 2005) There are many challenges related to commercial aspects affecting Islamic banking and Islamic institution. Below diagram illustrate the differenc es which are faced by Islamic bank in no-commercial and commercial pressure. The Islamic Bank In UAE And Market Discipline UAE as new creative and development country adapt all new changes that related to business so that it could continues and implement always the demands of world economy and created relations in a way for stronger marketing improvement. And since the banking investment it is one main way to achieve the successful in business environment, as a result the UAE government id support and help to have 8 Islamic banks that been entered to the market in all UAE with capital investment exceed trillions of dollars. So all these banks did already start their operations and did increase the preference in the huge economy of UAE. So, all banks in UAE do have plans to get more profits ASAP based on the visions and missions to become as one of the leading banks in the world (Archer Karim, 2007). Islamic banks in UAE considered as a multinational organizations network that spread all over the region. There are legends in innovation founded in UAE economy. They do provide products and a service i n different countries, recently employed thousands of people around the region, and sells and services real estate and other retails in many countries. Market discipline plays an important role in banking and if an Islamic bank has to develop; it has to follow the steps of information, ability, incentives and mechanism combining with market discipline which is shown diagram below. (Archer Karim, 2007) Figure 3: Developing market discipline in Islamic Banking Islamic Banks Nature Of Innovation Nature of economy is changing developed world, more and more innovation is needed for continuous growth. (Tahir, 2006)The challenge face by today world is crisis which is faced by different organization and institutions. This crisis makes difficulty in lending, decline in non-financial organization cooperation for growth so we need innovative concept and technique which are in early Islamic banking such as Mufawada, and Mudarabah. (Iqbal, 2001) Below are the growth factors in variable terms and it effect on Islamic banking, these analysis give us the perspective where the Islamic bank are standing and where they should go in coming decade. v IBs stands for Islamic Banks v CG stands for control group which consist of conventional banks. Source: Dr. Munawar Iqbal (2001). In Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Developments in Theory and Practice (p. 382). United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation. In 1990-94 Islamic bank investment growth was 11.3% while control group has negative growth. In 1994-97 Islamic bank had a decrease growth 7.3 % while control group had increase growth of 9.1%. Source: Dr. Munawar Iqbal (2001). In Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Developments in Theory and Practice (p. 382). United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation. In 1990-94 Islamic bank assets growth were 9.3% while control group has asset growth of 4.8%. In 1994-97 Islamic bank had a decrease growth 6.8 % while control group had increase growth of 6.6%. Source: Dr. Munawar Iqbal (2001). In Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Developments in Theory and Practice (p. 382). United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation. In 1990-94 Islamic bank equity growth were 7.9% while control group has asset growth of 6.4%. In 1994-97 Islamic bank had increase growth 10.5 % while control group had decrease growth of 4.7%. In 1990-94 Islamic bank deposits growth were 9.3% while control group has deposit growth of 3.1%. In 1994-97 Islamic bank had decrease growth 6.1 % while control group had increase growth of 7.2%. Conclusion Islamic banking is a very young concept compare to traditional banking, still it is implemented in Islamic countries but Islamic countries there is also traditional banking which is the threat to Islamic banking. Despite the success of Islamic banking there are few problems in Islamic banking which are related to area of finance. (Gafoor, 1995) To get rid of problems Islamic banking, Islamic bank should get rid of unwieldy, troublesome and uncertain financing activities, and have efficient and effective interest free banking. In Islamic banking it has all needed and basic required element for successful banking but they need little modification, such modified example is mudaraba financial service. Islamic bank also should operate in non-Muslim countries and they should give positive alternative to conventional banking for non Muslim people. (Gafoor, 1995) Finance is unique feature of Islamic banking and it should be relevant to shariah and Islamic principle, but it must not f orget to have a country which can develop itself on Islamic banking. Reference 1. Archer, S., Karim, R. A. (2007). In Islamic Finance: The Regulatory Challenge (pp. 14,99,372). Singapore: John Wiley Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd. 2. Iqbal, M. (2001). In Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Developments in Theory and Practice (p. 382). United Kingdom: The Islamic Foundation. 3. Warde, I. (2000). Riba, Gharar and The Moral Economy Of Islam. In Islamic Finance in the Global Economy (pp. 55-59). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 4. Pealow, J. (2000). Strategic Management And Accountability For First Nations. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from https://www.icpas.org.sg/epublication/saa-attachment/Andy%20Tan%20Write%20Up.pdf 5. Islamic banking. (2010, January 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:13, January 28, 2010, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islamic_bankingoldid=340499942 6. Iran International. (2006, March). Islamic Finance Gears Up. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from Iran International Magazine: https://www.iraninte rnationalmagazine.com/issue_39/text/islamic%20finance.htm 7. Gafoor, A. A. (1995). Current Practices. Retrieved January 20, 2010, from Islamic Banking: https://www.islamicbanking.nl/chap4.html#_Toc3149103 8. Centralbank. (1985, December 15). LawNo6 -1985. Retrieved January 23, 2010, from UAE Central Bank: https://centralbank.ae/pdf/LawNo6-1985-IslaminBanks.pdf 9. Challenges facing Islamic. (2005, August 5). Challenges facing Islamic financial institutions. Retrieved January 25, 2010, from Khaleej Times Online: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2005/August/business_August104.xmlsection=businesscol= 10. Tahir, S. (2006). Challenges facing Islamic finance: Research Areas. Retrieved January 25, 2010, from https://www.cba.edu.kw/elsakka/DL-06Tahir_Challenges_DrTahir.pdf

Monitor And Maintain Health And Safety Practice In The...

Monitor and Maintain Health and Safety Practice in the Salon Assignment. Abigail Davies Sarah Wilkinson Introduction I will be talking about how to carry out a risk assessment and how to maintain health and safety within a salon. I will be able to explain the different procedures of carrying out a risk assessment and the importance of making sure the staff have support and knowledge of health and safety. I will be able to clarify the different types of security breaches that will include stock equipment, money, personal belongings and client records, also the significance of being able to understand the need for insurance, for salon purposes such as making references to employers, public and professional indemnity insurance.†¦show more content†¦Every salon has a duty to have an appointed person who will take control and responsibility in the case of an accident. In addition, the salon may choose to appoint a first aider. This traditionally requires the employee to attend a four day training course. A portable appliance test (PAT) is essential and needs to be put in place for making sure s alon equipment isn’t faulty so that it reduces the risk of employees of getting harmed. 6. Outline procedures for dealing with different types of security breaches include stock, equipment, money, personal belongings, and records. A breach occurs when the law is not upheld. Either an action is taken that places a person at risk of injury, illness or death; or steps are not taken to avoid a risky situation from occurring; or there is a failure to comply with regulatory requirements. The different types of security breaches are: Stock and Equipment - Not ensuring that dangerous equipment or chemicals are guarded or securely locked to eliminate accidents occurring and theft. CCTV and alarms should be put in place to prevent this from happening. Background Checks - Owners should perform background checks on all potential employees before hiring them to work in the salon. If an applicant has a history of theft or other criminal activity, you should investigate them more thoroughly before hiring them. Money - Assign one person to work the cash register all day to eliminate the potential for mistakesShow MoreRelatedUnderstand the Principles and Requirements of Assessment Essay5731 Words   |  23 Pagesmake sure that the candidate signs it amp; that I sign it amp; I put their marks on it. It is the evidence as to whether the candidate is competent on that written paper. There will be a written paper from C.H.E.A.T. When I mark assignments there will also be an assignment front sheet that I would record their feedback on. Whether it is passed or referred the candidate would sign it and date it, I would sign and date it to validate that assessment { THESE PAPER FORMS ARE VITAL FOR ME TO BE ABLERead MoreEstee Lauder Companies : Ethical Strategy Analysis9260 Words   |  38 PagesCompanies sells prestige products principally through limited distribution channels to compliment the image associated with its brands. These channels consist primarily of upscale department stores, specialty retailers, upscale perfumeries, prestige salons and spas, and pharmacies.2 The Estee Lauder Companies is characteristically considered to be a company who produces luxury items by choosing to operate through such channels. Recessions often lead to declines in consumer confidence and disposableRead MoreMba Outline16812 Words   |  68 PagesLondon School of Commerce LSC Course Outline MBA Semester 1 October 2010 20th December 2010 MBA Course Leader: Dr. Rajendra Kumar: rajendra.kumar@lsclondon.co.uk Course Administrators: Assignment Deadline 1 Contents Christina Giovi: christina.giovi@lsclondon.co.uk Grace Freeman: grace.freeman@lsclondon.co.uk Page 3 3 4 4 5 Financial Analysis and Management Module Description Learning Outcomes Indicative Content Delivery Indicative Reading List Lecture Sequence 6-8 Sample QuestionsRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pageswith the most effective instructor and student resources With WileyPLUS: Students achieve concept mastery in a rich, structured environment that’s available 24/7 Instructors personalize and manage their course more effectively with assessment, assignments, grade tracking, and more manage time better study smarter save money From multiple study paths, to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visual and audio resources, WileyPLUS gives you everything you need to personalize the teachingRead MoreCosmetic Industry Analysis28098 Words   |  113 Pagesprices, even though the US crude oil price spikes approximately to $145 a barrel during 2008 and made domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced to reduce government subsidies (Nouriel, 2009). During the global downturn, Malaysia central bank has maintains a healthy foreign exchange and same to the regulatory system. This has limited Malaysia expose to a riskier financial instruments and be one of the global financial crisis even though decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods is expected toRead MoreOperational Management36687 Words   |  147 PagesInternational Edition). USA: McGraw Hill. Module Assessment Assignment You will be required to complete and submit an assignment. This assignment is assessed as part of your coursework. Therefore, it is very important that you complete it. MANCOSA - MBA Year 1 6 Operations Management Examination An examination will be written at the end of each semester. The assessment strategy will focus on application of theory to practice. SECTION 1 OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY MANCOSA - MBARead MoreFeasibility Study Paper About E-Jeepney11403 Words   |  46 Pagesf1.0 INTRODUCTION Pollution is everywhere. It is one of the world’s biggest environmental battles that destroys wildlife and causes health problems to millions of people. It takes different forms of energy like heat, noise, and light. Everything can be polluted like air, water, and even the pollution itself. One thing that most of the people use which enhances pollution to our environment are the vehicles. Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation and most reliable source of transportationRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesManagers 6 The Skills of Effective Managers 7 Essential Management Skills 8 What Are Management Skills? 9 Improving Management Skills 12 An Approach to Skill Development 13 Leadership and Management 16 Contents of the Book 18 Organization of the Book 19 Practice and Application 21 Diversity and Individual Differences 21 Summary 23 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 24 Diagnostic Survey and Exercises 24 Personal Assessment of Management Skills (PAMS) 24 What Does It Take to Be an Effective Manager? 28 SSS SoftwareRead MoreAccounting Information System Chapter 1137115 Words   |  549 Pagesto track carefully all work performed and the amount of work remaining to be done. Service companies (e.g., public accounting and law firms) do not sell physical goods and, therefore, do not need inventory control systems. They must develop and maintain detailed records of the work performed for each customer to provide backup for the amounts billed. Tracking individual employee time is especially important for these firms because labor is the major cost component. Figure 1-4 shows that organizationalRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesCommunication 335 Leadership 367 Power and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi BRIEF CONTENTS 4 The Organization System 16 Organizational Culture 511 17 Human Resource Policies and Practices 543 18 Organizational Change and Stress Management 577 Appendix A Research in Organizational Behavior Comprehensive Cases Indexes Glindex 637 663 616 623 Contents Preface xxii 1 1 Introduction What Is Organizational Behavior

Top Choices of Essay Topics Argument

Top Choices of Essay Topics Argument In choosing your topic, it's frequently a good notion to start out with a subject which you already have some familiarity with. Anyway, direct and indirect quotes are required to support your understanding of academic writing style. Some folks might believe that the fantastic content could possibly be written on any topic and the paper success is dependent just on the mastery of the writer. One particular important and appropriate subject is technology. It is preferable to prevent topics that are overdone. When writing a crucial composition, it's a good idea to pick contradictive topics. Now you're ready to produce your very own argumentative topics. There are a few great topics to think about when picking a topic for your argumentative essay. Life After Essay Topics Argument In fact, this kind of argument is targeted at finding common ground. You have to come across decent evidence to back up your ideas together with examples to illu strate the evidence. Make certain you can support whatever you say with clear and concrete evidence, and your claims are going to be a great deal stronger! After picking your subject, you have to have the five kinds of arguments at the rear of your head throughout your writing. When it has to do with writing an argumentative essay, the most essential point to do is to select a topic and an argument you could really get behind. Special attention ought to be paid to the introduction of a strong argument. You will need to develop a great argument, which encompasses not just your principal point, but also all the pieces which make this up. It is simple to get carried away and attempt to enumerate all the logical inconsistencies in the paragraph. The second sentence should offer your reasoning. Essay Topics Argument and Essay Topics Argument - The Perfect Combination There is a broad scope of topics readily available, from arguments on how to handle your own health to arguments on the way the entire healthcare system needs to be improved. The dearth of superior support sources will end in a decrease grade. If you wish to turn to important topics that impact the whole of society, social issues are really an inexhaustible field. Deciding upon an effortless topic may prove to be an incorrect track because you might have difficulties finding credible sources to support your views. What's the Iron Lady's role on earth history. Pay attention that the subject of your paper is supposed to be exhausted enough to demonstrate the readers what they are likely to meet inside. It's not sufficient to pick a topic which everybody agrees on. The topic ought to be such a one you will have the ability to elaborate. Essay Topics Argument - Dead or Alive? It is not easy to write a great essay if you aren't interested in studying a chosen subject deeply. Study them and find that one you'd be interested in. In high school and middle school, you aren't necessarily predicted to compose large, serious argument essays. To compose a strong argumentative essay, students should start by familiarizing themselves with a number of the common, and frequently conflicting, positions on the research topic so they can write an educated paper. A student should realize that the topic isn't self-explanatory. Many students know it is not simple to effectively develop an argumentative topic. Facts, Fiction and Essay Topics Argument An argumentative essay is a certain sort of academic writing. Argumentative essay topics are so important since they are debatableand it's critical to at all times be critically considering the world around us. Argumentative writings is a particular sort of a paper. For instance, in college, you might be requested to compose a paper from the opposing standpoint. If so, Harvard format is the thing to do. There are various formats of essays and one need to understand the differences amongst them.

Human Resource Management Sustain in the Market

Question: Describe about the Human Resource Management for Sustain in the Market. Answer: Introduction Human resource management is an approach that has come into limelight in the past few decades. Human resource management helps business organisations in optimising the performances of their employees by establishing better employer-employee relations and by improving the work conditions for the employees. In the present day scenario of globalised business, it has become increasingly difficult for business organisations to sustain in the market as they are now competing with organisations from all over the world. Further, in such conditions, it also becomes very difficult for business organisations to achieve market competencies through processes or other resources as they can be easily replicated. In such conditions, business organisations can only rely upon the efficiency and performance of their human resources in achieving a competitive edge in the market and as a result, human resource management is looked upon as one of the main functional units in almost all business organisations (Mathis and Jackson, 2003). As we can see the importance of human resource management in the present day world, it is important that we discuss its advantages in details. Therefore, in this assignment, we will discuss the ways in which human resource management can add value to a business organisation as a result of its various functions. How Can Hrm Add Value To Business Organisations Let us now discuss the ways in which human resource management can add value to business organisations in the present day world: Human Resource Planning, Selection And Recruitment One of the most important functions of human resource management is selection and recruitment and helps business organisations a great deal in becoming more effective and efficient. Selection and recruitment is the process of announcing new job openings and hiring new candidates to fulfil the human resource demands of an organisation. Selection and recruitment is an important function for all types of business organisations as business organisations look for the right talent that can be recruited for the right tasks at the right time. Human resource management aims at designing selection and recruitment programs that can help the companies in testing the candidates or applicants based upon the psychometric or psychological qualities required for a particular job opening. Further, it is also important that business organisations have the right number of employees so that neither there is wastage of human resources nor a shortage i.e. human resource management ensures that there is maximum productivity and efficiency at any point of time (Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016). Performance And Management one of the greatest ways in which human resource management adds value to an organisation is through its function of performance management. Performance management is an approach that allows business organisations in optimising the performance of individuals so that they can contribute more towards the achievement of organisational goals and objectives. Performance management aims at designing systems that convey expectations of the employers from the employees and also helps the employers in designing achievable and practices goals. Using performance management systems, organisations are able to foster an environment where the organisations has a greater focus towards performing better and helping the organisation in achieving its goals and objectives (Deadrick and Stone, 2014). Performance management systems are designed in such a way that they are able to analyse the performance of the employees on a regular basis and also provides the employers with a mean to either warn the under performers or consider them for planned separation. Further, performance management systems can also be clubbed with performance appraisals and potential appraisals to make them more effective and render efficient results. Compensation, Benefits And Rewards another important function in human resource management is the design of compensation, benefit and reward systems. It is important that the employees are given appropriate compensations that nether makes them feel underpaid nor overpaid and should also be according to the market standards for a particular job profile. Apart from compensation management, human resource management also helps business organisations in designing benefits and rewards system for employees who demonstrate excellent performances during a year and help their organisations in achieving their goals and objectives, which ultimately helps business organisations in keeping their employees motivated (Harvard Business Review, 2016). Retention Attracting New Employees another important way in which human resource management can help in adding value to an organisation is by helping a company in retaining its top talent and in attracting new talent. In the present times, talented employees have a lot of opportunities as they can switch easily between competitive companies if they feel like. Further, if the employee turnover ratio of a company is high, it results into wastage of a lot of important resources that are invested into the employees for their betterment, which makes it important that the talented employees of a company are retained. Using various concepts, such as employee engagement, motivation, job commitment, performance potential appraisals, promotions, rewards, benefits, etc. human resource managers are able to retain their employees as they feel that they have a lot of opportunities in their court if they continue working with the same company (Reddington, 2006). On the other hand, a company with good human resource policies and a large pool of talented employees is also able to build a good reputation in the market and new or fresh employees are more likely to look for such companies as compared to those which have high employee turnover ratios or do not take care of its employees. Training And Development training and development is a function in human resource management that helps business organisations in improving the technical proficiencies of their employees and also helps the employees to develop their skills. Training and development programs aim at making the employees more effective, efficient and competitive by bringing about an overall development in them. Training and development programs are not only able to develop the employees but are also able to help the employers in retaining the employees and become more competitive in the market as a result of increased competencies of their employees. It also ensures that an organisation can cope up with the latest market trends and can easily compete with its competitors in a global competition. Thus, it further helps in adding value to a business organisation (Today, 2016). Diversity Management workplace diversity, in simple words, is related with the differences that exist between various people working in a single workplace. Diversity can encompass race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, gender, culture, education, background, conative styles, etc. Diversity in a workplace has been found to have a number of benefits for an organisation. It allows people from different cultural backgrounds and thinking in different manners to come together and create unique ideas to various problems, which ultimately gives rise to creativity and innovation. Even though diversity has a number of benefits for a company but it is very challenging to manage diversity in the workplace. If the human resource management of a company is efficient and is competitive enough to easily manage workplace diversity by promoting cross cultural tolerance and team work, an organisation can benefit a lot from its diverse workforce and can achieve new heights in the market (Gordon, 1995). Change Management human resource management allows employers to continuously work for the betterment of their workforces and to improve their competencies according to the latest trends in the market. It also allows the employers to establish better relations with them and improve their performance by fostering an environment that promotes regular changes in work habits and routine. It has been found that monotonous work habits and no changes in the workplace can make things boring for the employees and can also kill their creativity and innovating power. Human resource management adds a lot of value to an organisation by helping the employees in coping up with change programs and by making them more comfortable with regular changes. When organisations introduce changes in the workplace, there is a lot of resistance and unrest and most of the times, business organisations are not able to implement the desired changes at all. If the human resource management of a company is efficient and talented, it can take a lot of initiatives that can help the employees in becoming more prone to changes and accepting them as a positive move for the organisation as well as for their future (Todnem By, 2005). Conclusion Human resource is rightly regarded as one of the most important resource for any business organisation as it can help companies in achieving their long term and short term along goals along with market competencies. On the other hand, if a human resource management team of a company knows what it has to do and is able to perform its functions efficiently, it can make a lot of difference and can add a lot of value to an organisation. Thus, it is highly important that business organisations direct their attention towards managing their human resources in the best possible manner and achieving its benefits in the short as well as in the long run. Reference Deadrick, D. and Stone, D. (2014). Human resource management: Past, present, and future. Human Resource Management Review, 24(3), pp.193-195. Gordon, A. (1995). The Work of Corporate Culture: Diversity Management. Social Text, (44), p.3. arvard Business Review. (2016). Why HR Really Does Add Value. [online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2011/12/why-hr-really-does-add-value [Accessed 1 Dec. 2016]. Mathis, R. and Jackson, J. (2003). Human resource management. 1st ed. Mason, Ohio: Thomson/South-western. Reddington, M. (2006). Transforming HR: Creating Value through People. Human Resource Management International Digest, 14(6). Smallbusiness.chron.com. (2016). How Does HR Add Value to an Organization?. [online] Available at: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/hr-add-value-organization-50980.html [Accessed 1 Dec. 2016]. Today, P. (2016). How can HR prove it really adds value? - Personnel Today. [online] Personnel Today. Available at: https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/how-can-hr-prove-it-really-adds-value/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2016]. Todnem By, R. (2005). Organisational change management: A critical review. Journal of Change Management, 5(4), pp.369-380.

Compare and contrast four sonnets Essay Example

Compare and contrast four sonnets Essay No mockeries now for them, no prayers nor bells; Owen shows himself to be cynical of the Christian religion, as he can not see how a loving God could have anything to do with so many deaths. In fact, Owen served three years as a parish assistant. Wilfred Owen died aged 25 on 4th November 1918, a week before the end of the Great War. He was completely unheard of at the time of his death, and only five of his poems had been published. Now he is revered as one of the greatest war poets of all time, and has been nominated the national poet of war.In this essay, I will be comparing one of his most celebrated works, the sonnet Anthem for Doomed Youth with two of Shakespeares sonnets (the renowned Shall I compare thee ? and Let me not) with John Donnes Death Be Not Proud. These poems are all sonnets, and for the most part follow a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. Sonnets are often employed when writing about a solemn subject, which is common to all poems I will be looking at, as the formal structure can often echo the mood.In both of the Shakespearian sonnets we are looking at, he wrote in the form, which is so much associated with him, known as the Shakespearian sonnet form. This celebrated form has fourteen lines and is written in three quatrains, these with a regular a,b,a,b, c,d,c,d, e,fe,f, rhyming scheme, and the penultimate and the last line being in the form of a rhyming couplet. The other two poems take on some all together different forms: John Donnes Death be Not Proud is written in the Italian or Patrician form. It has two quatrains that follow an a, b, b, a rhyming scheme and then a single quatrain with an c, d, d, e rhyming scheme followed by a rhyming couplet. The rhyming couplet is in fact a feature common to all the poems, as Wilfred Owens anthem for doomed youth, follows a semi-Shakespearian form. It again has three quatrains the first two with an a, b, a, b and c, d, c, d rhyming scheme, whilst the last quatrain differs slightly as it has and e, f, f, e rhyming scheme. The sonnet ends with a rhyming couplet. All of the poems I am studying share a common metre, iambic pentameter, although, it is not consistent throughout all of them.Shakespeare was writing in the 16th centaury and Donne about a century after. As a result archaic spellings are present in both the works of William Shakespeare and John Donne. In Shakespeares sonnet Shall I compare thee ? some examples of his use of archaic old-English spellings are, Maie and Sommer. It is interesting to note that in Let me not Shakespeare effectively uses negative vocabulary (not, no, never, although) with the effect of assuring that the positive seems true. He uses the negatives to prove that the points he is making are well-founded.John Donne (1572 1631) wrote Death Be Not Proud in about 1610, in the Elizabethan period. It is however difficult to date the writing of his poems, as none of them were published in his lifetime. It is thought that all his songs and sonnet s were written between 1590 and 1617. Donne wrote a group of sonnets which are referred to as the Holy Sonnets, of which Death Be Not Proud is one. He was a religious man, ordained in 1615, and became a royal chaplain in the same year.In the poem there are lots of examples of archaic spellings, and multiple uses of words like thou and thee. There are also some unusual spellings like poore and stroake. Donne was very experimental with genre, form and imagery. His work lacks conventional metric smooth sounding poetry, or the descriptive clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s of other poets of the time.As Wilfred Owen was writing much later, during the First World War, there are no instances of archaic spelling. His vocabulary, however, is quite traditional, and there are many usages of phrases that are no longer used in society today, such as: shires and pallor. He uses a lot of unusual and complex funeral and death related vocabulary, and this can be difficult to comprehend, as many of these traditional proceedings are no longer in practice at modern funerals.Throughout Donne sonnet, he is personifying death. We can even see this in the title, Death Be Not Proud, as well as examples like some have called thee mighty and dreadful, as he is attributing a human quality to death. Donne uses apostrophe when he directly addresses death, such as when he commands death to be not proud and condescendingly calls death poore death. This extended personification and usage of apostrophe are the most predominant literary devices he uses. I think that Donnes personification of death is a very effective as it successfully puts across the message of his sonnet, because it enables him to mock death.He also uses rhythm, rhyme, and metre to make his poem flow nicely and sound pleasant to the ear. In lines five to six, he uses a metaphor, by calling all paintings and drawings of death rest and sleepe. In line eight, there is an example of synecdoche, as, Donne means the whole body of the men will be a ble to rest rather than just their bones. This aids his religious contrast between body and soul. When Donne says Why swellst thou then, he means why is death swelled with pride and it is a rhetorical question, designed to make death question its reasons for being proud. The last line is very complex, And death shall be no more; death, thou shall die, as Donne uses death and the word die to mean three different things. The first death means death in its normal context: physical death. The second is the personified death, and it has the effect of a name. And die means ceasing to exist.Throughout Let Me Not, Shakespeare uses a varied and effective range of literary devices. The hyperbole in this sonnet is prevailing, and Shakespeare uses it to convince the reader that love is unchanging. Throughout the poem he also personifies love, like in line six when he says:That lookes on tempestsAt the end of the first quatrain Shakespeare uses repetition, which reinforces the unchanging nature of love:Which alters when it alteration finds,Or bends with the remover to removeShakespeare uses a metaphor in line seven, when he depicts love as a northern star to a boat.It is the star to every wondering barkeThis is a beautiful example of imagery, and a very effective metaphor as conveys the Shakespeares point that love is eternal, and it will exist forever, never altering.In Shall I Compare Thee Shakespeare again uses literary devices to great effect. He begins it with a question, which he proceeds to answer in the remainder of the sonnet:Shall I compare thee to a summers dayIn line five Shakespeare uses metaphor, to describe the sun; he calls it the eye of heaven.He personifies a summers day, in line six:And often is his golden complexion dimmd,This is another example of clever imagery, for often we say that someones face is clouded over with anger, or thoughtfulness, and this is effectively the opposite. Shakespeare is saying that, often on a summers day the sun can, unfortu nately, be dimmd by clouds.Of the four sonnets I am studying, I think that Wilfred Owen has used the most literary devices in his writing, to convey his powerful message. In his sonnet, Owen uses an extended metaphor; he is comparing the normal funeral proceedings, in peacetime, with the hasty and inappropriate goodbyes said to the soldiers who died for our country and future. He begins both stanzas with rhetorical questions, like Shakespeare does in his opening line of Shall I compare thee. He compares the soldiers to cattle, which is a very powerful image that would make anyone think twice about the inhumanity of the deaths in war.In line two, Owen personifies the guns, giving them the human emotion of monstrous anger.Line three: Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle, is a clever use of both alliteration and onomatopoeia to create a gun-fire noise. This immediately gives the poem a far more atmospheric feel.He personifies the shells by calling them a Shrill demented choir, and t he shires by saying they are sad, as well as the bugles by saying they are calling the soldiers. The personification highlights that some things are beyond human control.In line eleven, Owen uses a metaphor to describe the tears of a dead soldiers friends and family, he says that they are holy glimmers.There is one theme that is included in all four of the sonnets: and this is the concept of immortality, and the afterlife. Shakespeare lived in a time where religion was incredibly important and the huge majority of the population followed the Christian religion. In Shakespeares poem, shall I compare thee, he talks of how his writing gives his love immortality, as her beauty and nature are captured in Shakespeares eternal lines that gives life to her.Let Me Not talks of the undying nature of love, and discusses how true love alters not with his breefe houres and weekes and lasts until the doom day or in Shakespeares words bears it out even to the edge of doome. Shakespeare is saying t hat love, like poetry is immortal.Johne Donne was a man of strong religious convictions, and his belief in God and the afterlife are shown throughout the poem. He says that death canst kill me, a reference to heaven, in which he believes. He is saying that death is not the end; rather that it is a middle stage, before ultimately being reunited with God or before your soules are deliverie to God. He says death is a short sleep before wee wake eternally. John Donne is undermining death and saying that death, who thinks himself mighty and powerful, is in fact a sleep which is pleasure.Although Owen served some time as parish assistant, his poem contains the least reference to the afterlife. There is however a mention of afterlife in the second stanza, when Owen says:What candles may be held to speed them all?Shakespeare discusses the nature of love in both his sonnets, although his beliefs and thoughts are expressed predominantly in Let me not. Sonnet 116 Let Me Not discusses the everl asting, and never changing nature of love. Shakespeare shows how he firmly believes that love, requited or otherwise, is a feeling that will stay with you until the edge of doom. True love, says Shakespeare, is an ever-fixed mark that does not cease when it is not returned or alter when it alteration finds. Shakespeare is saying that love takes no notice of the brief hours and weeks or the loss of rosy lips and cheeks, which are taken by time. The poem says that love is like the marriage of true minds. Shakespeare says love brings the minds of two people together, as marriage legally brings them together. Some think that perhaps this sonnet is addressed to a man. They think that the impediments and tempests that are discussed in the poem are references to the difficulties facing a homosexual relationship in the Elizabethan age. Personally, I think that Shakespeare is referring to all genres of true love, whether it be love of a man, a woman, or family love.The other Shakespearian so nnet that I am looking at, Shall I Compare Thee, talks less about the nature of love, but is a poem addressed to Shakespeares love, comparing them to a summers day. Throughout the sonnet Shakespeare explains why this comparison is not appropriate for his love, as they are far more sweet natured (temperate) and less fleeting, summers lease hath all too short a date. Shakespeare talks about how his loves beauty will not be lost, as they own (owest) it. He says that they will never die as they now growest in eternal lines, which is this sonnet that he has written about them.Donne does not talk of love is his poem, as it is purely concentrated on his religious beliefs about the afterlife. Likewise, Owen talks fleetingly about love. In line twelve, he talks about the pallor of girls brows. The girls of whom he talks are the wives, girlfriends, and mothers of the soldiers. In this brief line, he captures their grief and worry, about the soldiers on the front. In the next line, he speaks o f the tenderness of silent minds, by which he means the fond memories of the dead soldiers that their loved ones will be thinking of.Needless to say, war is most frequently mentioned in Owens sonnet, Anthem for Doomed Youth. Owen talks of war in realistic and shocking way, shattering all illusions of the nobleness and heroic nature of war. Owen is very keen to show how war robs men of their youth and is an inhumane and totally pointless slaughter of mankind. Especially as at the time there were many people writing propaganda to encourage young men to join the army. Owen wanted to shatter this unrealistic representation of war that they portrayed to people on the home front, and addressed many of his poems to one such propaganda writer, whos glorified war to the extreme. He talks of how men die as cattle. This disturbing images reminds us of the holocaust, which was also happening at that same time. Owen describes to the reader the constant monstrosity, and never ending sound of guns , rifles and wailing shells, none of which could ever be escaped by the soldiers out on the front.In Donnes poem there is a very inconspicuous reference to warfare: line seven says: and soonest our best men with thee doe goe. I think Donne is referring to soldiers when he says best men, as being in the army was a respected job, as it required endurance and bravery. Donne is talking about the deaths of young soldiers in war.The poem that I find the most powerful is without a doubt, Owens Anthem for doomed youth. It is easily accessible, and his use of irony and sarcasm really puts across the horror of war. His use of rhetorical questions makes the reader think, and the poem effectively makes you question the benefits of going to war, in comparison with the appalling negatives.Donnes poem Death Be Not Proud is about his religious values and attitude to the topic of death and the afterlife. Donne wants to shatter the almost universal fear of death, that everybody has and show that deat h is simple a stage before being reunited with God.Shakespeares sonnet Shall I compare Thee is one of the most famous sonnets of all time. It is beautifully written, and like Owen, he uses a rhetorical question at the begging which he proceeds to answer. His use of figurative language, conjures up some beautiful images, and it is a pungent and touching love sonnet. His other sonnet that I am looking at, Let Me Not, is a very potent poem about the nature of love. Shakespeares strength of conviction comes across very strongly, and his use of simplistic language and the present tense show that he intended to share his views on the common, universal topic of love with everyone.There are many similarities, both in language, form and themes between these four sonnets. However, each writer had a diverse aim when writing their sonnet and this can clearly be seen. The form of the sonnet was chosen for each of these poems to compliment the formal nature of their topic.

Essay Sample on School Accountability Programs

Essay Sample on School Accountability Programs School safety is improved through different means that can be assessed and evaluated. Schools are required to establish mechanisms of accountability, which will ensures efficiency, effectiveness, and performance. (Dwyer and Warger 1998). Schools also do carry out frequent organizational structure reviews and means of enhancing the safety. These reviews are geared towards identifying school personnel who require training on safety. At the same time, schools provide a suitable level of training on safety for all school personnel in school master plans for in-service training. It also goes along way to promoting high standards of safety by having proper equipment for protecting school property and records (Dwyer and Warger 1998). School accountability programs need to incorporate various key elements. Some of the principles that form basis of accountability programs in school safety include; emphasizing on involvement of students. There is no school safety program that can be successful if it does not involve students. Even if the program is well developed and implemented, it will not enhance school safety without incorporating students (Dwyer and Warger 1998). Many district schools enhance school safety by giving parents contract forms to sign on behalf of the students. These forms are supposed to administer and regulate the students conduct both academically and also socially. The contract forms are created by students together with their parents in guidance of school teachers and other personnel of the school. To maintain school safety the students are supposed to report cases of indiscipline to the authorities for action to be taken (Dwyer and Warger 1998).

Podcasts for Training in an Organisational Setting Research Proposal

Podcasts for Training in an Organisational Setting - Research Proposal Example Podcasting offers consumer appeal, ease of use, and accessibility. The term podcasting, for the purpose of this research, refers to a technological tool that is mobile and has the capacity for internet communication, multimedia playback, and storage. A primary example of such a device is the famous iPod by the Apple Company. Although other podcast-enabled devices are available on the market, iPod is currently the preferred podcasting device (Apple 2006). The advance of technology has an obvious impact on the processes we use in an organization or institution. The suggested research will examine the affects of using podcasts for training in an organizational setting to determine its benefits and drawbacks on the training procedure. The following section of the proposal discusses the perceived relevance of the intended research, as it outlines and challenges the ability of the podcasting method to quantifiably enhance training in a given subject area. The second section presents comparable research studies through the literature review which focuses on podcasting in a first part, on the physiological and psychological aspects of learning in a second part. The third section relates to the methodology to follow in order to reach the research objectives outlined in the first section of the proposal. The details of the methodology utilized to test and measure our experiments are presented in that segment. The perspective of training with information-age technology offers a wide range of possibilities in several fields including higher education, medical and healthcare, business and management. Research Question/Why is the Research Important (300 words) Proposed Question: What do employees at my organisation (Boston Scientific) perceive as the benefits of podcasting Researchers forecast between 30 and 57 million people living in the United States will access and use iPod technology by the year 2010 - This estimate gives a general outlook on the advance of podcast-like technology into our everyday lives (Mindlin 2005). The Podcasting technology has enjoyed and continues to enjoy phenomenal growth in our society, particularly in higher education (Campbell 2005). Several institutions of higher education including Drexel and Duke University have recently introduced podcasting as a supplementary learning tool (Duke 2006). These universities embraced the technology as a way to leverage and improve the quality of their training, and the learning benefits of the technology are manifest. Dr. Lucic from Duke University concluded that the iPod initiative at Duke not only encouraged students to "think on their own", but also increased their level of creativity in how to use the technology to facilitate the learning experience (Dalrymple 2006). The adoption of the podcasting technology in these various institutions of h