Thursday, November 14, 2019

Designing a Driving Instructor Robot Essay -- Robotics

Driver-Bot Paper Introduction/Overall Project Description The idea for the Driver-Bot came from a simple discussion about driver’s education. Driver’s training and education are big events for young adults, but sometimes learning to drive from a parent or from an online course can be too stressful. The Driver-Bot was born from a need to invent a new way to teach driving. Unlike online courses, the Driver-Bot gives a better and more realistic physical representation of driving. However, modern simulators can actually placed drivers in situations, forcing to react to virtual situations. The Driver-Bot was designed to be cheaper than these simulators. This project is just a smaller scale of the actual project idea. This primitive Driver-Bot is only able to do a few of the daily tasks that all drivers face. It can sense other cars, change lanes, turn left or right, stop, and park. With the use of electrical tape, the Driver-Bot has been programmed to react accordingly. Background Information The project is in no way the only new innovative way to teach driving, and it is not the first to use programming to drive autonomously. Today, many are taught through computers and simulators, learning to drive cars, trucks, or even tanks. Scientists and researchers are also taking technology further, programming cars to drive on their own. These cars are aptly titled â€Å"smart cars.† Modern Ways to Teach Driving The invention of the automobile brought not only an efficient way to travel but also a new set of problems in the early twentieth century. The automobile was considered to be a dangerous invention, meant for adventures not daily life. â€Å"Several California counties passed ordinances requiring motorists to pull to the s... ... Works Cited â€Å"DMV History.† 2005. Accessed July 25th, 2006 from http://www.dui.com/states/california/dui_library/dmv_history.html. â€Å"Driving Simulator.† 24 July 2006. Accessed July 24th, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_simulator. Kanellos, Michael. â€Å"Grateful for Army Robot Contest, Entrants give Tanks.† October 30, 2003. Accessed 24 July 2006 from http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-5100315.html. Leavitt, Wendy. â€Å"21st Century Driver Training.† 1 January 2006. Accessed July 24th, 2006 from http://fleetowner.com/information_technology/feature/fleet_st_century_driver/index.html . â€Å"Smart Cars.† Accessed 24 July 2006 from http://nicta.com/au/director/research/programs/asst/research_activities/smartcars.cfm. Voss, Georgina. â€Å"Smart Cars to Rule the Roads.† Accessed 24 July 2006 from http://www.upi.com/Hi-Tech/view.php?StoryID=20060712-095418-3540r.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Play activity for children Essay

Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood and as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Having the time and space to play allows children the chance to keep them physically active and it gives them the freedom to make their own choices about what they want to do. Research shows that play has a range of benefits to the child, family, and the community, as well as improving healthy and quality of life. Play also helps the child improve their self-esteem, self-awareness and self-respect, it gives child a chance to mix with others and develop new skills. Playing can help Manshu with her potty training, such as role-play with dolls could help Manshu understand all about what potty training involves. It could also make the child become much more relaxed about this step in life. For Jessica play (role-play with dolls) could help her understand all about her baby sister and what is happening in the changes at home in her life. Whilst children are in my care I will do my best to offer a range of activities for children to participate in, I will also allow children to give a choice in which activities that the want to participate in, as this will allow the child to become more independent. I feel that it is important for children to be encouraged to do as many activities as possible rather the same thing all the time. By rotating the toys that you have out available for the children to play with it means that they will be learning through play on a range of toys rather than being able to play with the same toys all the time. I think that i t is important that children learn about different cultures and that not all people have the same abilities, children can also learn about these topics through play using ethnic dolls, puzzles, books, art and crafts and cooking food from different cultures. This means having materials, toys, resources in your setting that reflect the diversity of our society. Thus play can help Manshu with her potty training, such as role-play with dolls could help Manshu understand all about what potty training involves. It could also make the child become much more relaxed about this step in life. For Jessica’s play (role-play with dolls) could help her understand all about her baby sister and what is happening in the changes at home in her life. Domestic routines that children can be involved in and how this supports their learning: Activity How can this benefit the child Helping to prepare snacks/food Helps children develop a good understanding of hygiene practices which helps develop personal, social & cognitive development. Using tools (suitable for children) to cut/prepare the food/snacks helps their sensory development and also builds their physical development. Setting the table at meal times This will help develop their independence, it also helps them to learn to follow instruction helping their language skills, matching children’s place mats to their cups & plates can also help learn matching skills, helping their cognitive development. Children could help to tidy up which would develop their social & emotional development. I would make a game out of this & count the things they pick up, helping their mathematic development. Hanging clothes on the line This will help their understanding of how the wind and heat dry things and how we use water for things and not others. Games can also be made of if this using the colours of clothing and pegs etc. Messy Play with Household items e.g. shaving foam, water Messy play encourages children to use their imagination and be creative which helps build self-confidence and self-esteem. Tidying up Children could help to tidy up which would develop their social & emotional development; I would make a game out of this & count the things they pick up, helping their mathematic development. Getting ready for the school run/going out Getting ready to go out children can learn about different body parts as they put on their coast, wellies etc. Then when outside you can help the child’s knowledge & understanding of the world. Climbing & playing on outdoor equipment helps a child’s physical development & co-ordination. It is easy to think about what learning can be achieved from a particular activity but I am aware that some activities may include potential weaknesses for some children, for example ‘preparing snacks and food’ and ‘setting the table’ will not be suitable for younger children in the same way that older children would not benefit from a ‘messy play activity’ which is why having a variety of activities the children can participate in on a daily basis is paramount to their learning. Through observing and keeping a written record of observations of children at play, is a way for you to learn how the child learns, what they enjoy, the development stage they are at and how to plan activities for that child. As children learn through play, when you observe them at play, you will learn the stage they are at, and this will allow you to plan for them individually. You will also learn what kind of learner the child is. Keeping a record of a child’s development is very important, so you can recognise if they are advancing or maybe falling behind some early learning goals. Observations are a great way of sharing information with parents too. Keeping observations will allow you to plan efficiently for each child, knowing where to focus some learning and for you to plan different challenges for the child to allow them to progress. Keeping a learning journal and incorporating your observations into this along with pictures and pieces of the child’s work, will a llow you to keep a good chronological diary of the child’s progress, and make planning run smoothly and well. Children need to be treated as individuals, equally and with respect. The children’s act 2004, has the requirement to treat all children as individuals, and with equal concern. Every single child is different, will enjoy different activities, dislike different activities, and have their own way of learning, through play, and other activities. It is the responsibility of the child carer to ensure they cater for each and every individual need. To do this effectively, you will need to plan for each child, taking observations, and get to know the children in your care well. Everyone that comes to your setting should be welcomed and respected, their beliefs and interests respected as well as their personalities, needs, values, abilities and interests. It is essential that you do not discriminate for any reason, and offer an inclusive environment, and cater and treat everyone equally. Meeting the individual needs of every child is so important, as this ensures they are receiving the best possible care, their rights are being met, opportunities, and an environment that lets them grow and learn at their own pace, securely, safely and happily. The rights of every child are paramount in childcare, when you acknowledge the rights and individuality of every child, you can offer an inclusive setting, where everyone is treated equally and with respect. The best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in all activities concerning the child, and children have the right to be protected from all forms of discrimination. Drop-in sessions can be invaluable in providing support and an opportunity to share ideas, good practice and resources. Planning special days out with the children to the park, museums, libraries etc. can help a child’s development. You could take a camera & let the children take photos, making a storybook all about your day. Meeting up with other childminders for picnics and other days out can help the children form new friendships & help you learn and develop by discussing different ways of play. Other forms of play you could do at home are ‘keep fit’ session, there are a lot of cd/DVDs out there that are made for kids & adults to do, children will find this lots of fun & will help develop their physical development. Whether the day is spent inside or out it should be both fun and informative for the  children and offer a variety in their learning. Although routine is great for children at times it may benefit the children for me to slightly change the routine for example whilst Manshu is potty training I may decide not to attend childminder drop-in or any other sessions to stay at home and develop her potty training in my home, once competent I would reintroduce the outings. Another example of when I might need to slightly alter a routine is if a child becomes unwell and is waiting to be collected early the other child(ren) may need to sacrifice their outing/activity to ensure that the unwell child is safe and comfortable until collected. Regardless of the activity I always adhere to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child act which was drawn up in 1989. The act consists of 54 articles stating that all children must be shown respect and that their well- being is the principle factor. The three main areas of this act include:  · Provision (access to food, clean water, housing, education, healthcare etc.)  · Protection (being safe from abuse and discrimination.)  · Participation (having their views heard and participating in making decisions.)

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Netflix Business Risks Essay

For a low monthly price Netflix allows their customers not only to streamline videos on their mobile devices and computers but also choose from a wide variety of DVD’s. This allows for the consumer to watch as much which is beneficial for someone that has a busy schedule and would like to go back and catch up where they left off. As with every business there are risks associated with the everyday operations and I will go into detail as to what the risks are that Netflix has encountered. Business Risk I was a Netflix customer back in 2010 and I was pleased with the low monthly rate associated with a Netflix membership. This option was wonderful with a houseful of children that had different likes in what they watched everyone was pleased. As I carefully monitored my monthly bank statements the low price was at a constant rate up until the middle of July 2011. My monthly fee of $8.50 went up to $16.00 which nearly doubled. More than doubled. I made the honest mistake of not taking into consideration the economic downturn and what risks were associated with such a good deal. As the saying goes, if it is too good to be true it must be. With a household of 7 I had to outweigh the pros and cons of paying an additional $8.00 a month. While comparing the previous membership price along with the new membership price there was no return on the company’s part. I was still able to view movies via streaming online as well as DVD’s in the mail. So why did the the price jump? Pogue (2011) states, â€Å"This, as you can imagine, is not a popular decision. This isn’t a cost-of-living increase. This isn’t inflation. It’s a 60 percent overnight price increase — that gives you nothing new in return.† Not only was I the only irate customer. Netflix felt this chain of reaction across the globe, the consequence of a 60% price increased caused Netflix to lose 800,000 customers in their third quarter. Operational Risks Netflix’s Chief Executive Office Reed Hastings made the decision in splitting Netflix into two separate companies. One of the companies will be specifically for streaming movies on demand and the other company will be called Qwikster specifically for the DVD business. Blodget (2011) states, â€Å"And we can also certainly understand why, from the company’s perspective, it makes sense to split the DVD and streaming businesses into two separate companies: They’re different businesses, with different cost structures and different delivery, marketing, licensing, and management challenges, and they will be easier to run better if they’re managed separately.† Split in Two. It only makes sense to create two companies that would help them focus on their main objective. Since Qwikster will be for the dvd section library they have to take into consideration the costs of shipping out a dvd, the quantity of inventory in the warehouse as well as inventory turnov er. Online streaming does not the same costs associated since the consumer is just a click away from watching at their convenience. Consumers are sometimes forced in choosing the DVD’s because as I have experienced myself some of the older and newer versions of movies are not available to stream online. For example, Willow was an all-time favorite of mine during my childhood, while checking the streaming library I came across the movie but once I had clicked on the title it showed it was only available via DVD. I have a very bad habit in returning the Netflix dvd given there are no additional shipping costs associated with the dvd, but the downfall for Netflix is that there is one less dvd out in the world and the inventory won’t be replenished until I return this movie. Financial Risk Netflix domestic online streaming has a committed amount of customers while domestic dvd are hit the worst. Netflix membership plans include $8.00 a month for unlimited streaming, for an additional $8.00 more a month customers can add unlimited DVD’s, and if the consumer is interested in Blu-ray disks then they would add an additional $2.00 on top of dvd price bringing it up to $10.00 for Blu-ray’s. Hurley (2012) states, â€Å"Nevertheless, gross, operating, and net income margins have been sliding steadily and substantially for several years. Moreover, Netflix continues to rely on subscriptions to its DVD’s-by-mail service to prop up net income. Although management officially altered corporate strategy to place emphasis  on streaming services rather than DVD-by-mail services and there are more than twice as many streaming subscriptions as by-mail subscriptions.† Strong Force. In December 2012 it was announced that both Disney (DIS) and Netflix (NFLX) announced a deal that would allow Disney shows and movies to be available to only Netflix’s subscribers. The result of this announcement resulted in Netflix stock rise to 15%. This is great news for consumers like me who is a Disney fanatic, now I will have a reason to stay with Netflix so that I can watch Disney movies with an unlimited amount of time. Conclusion When the price increase occurred back in 2011, I did cancel my membership because I was still feeling the economic downturn in my household. I would rather use that $18.00 towards filling up my gas tank rather than watch TV, in my eyes needs are more important than wants in my household. In mid-2012 I had a career change that resulted in a higher income. I now had a little extra play money to apply to a want that I once had and since Netflix allowed my children to be satisfied and allowed for some quiet time on my end, I went ahead and renewed my subscription. Being on Netflix for a few months I can say that I was extremely stoked when the announcement of Disney and Netflix working together. References Blodget, H. (2011). With all respect to Reed Hastings, the Netflix-Qwikster split bad for customers. Retrieved from http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/respect-reed-hastings-netflix-qwikster-split-bad-customers-160148340.html Hurley, D. (2012). Could Netflix bounce in 2013? Retrieved from http://www.wealthlift.com/blog/netflix-bounce-2013/ Pogue, D. (2011). Why Netflix raised its prices. Retrieved from http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/why-netflix-raised-its-prices/

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Differences in the Patriot and the American Revolution essays

The Differences in the Patriot and the American Revolution essays In this Essay I will point out the different causes that led up to the American Revolution. The main three reasons are Political, Economic and Social Causes. In my opinion of the American Revolution the Political reason was the most important, because for the most part the colonists did not agree that the Parliament had the right to make laws for American colonists and to tax them when the colonists had no elected The Economic causes of the Revolution are second most important. In the eyes of Great Britain the American colonists primary job was to build a favorable balance of trade. With a favorable balance of trade a nation could be self-sufficient, become wealthy and build a powerful army and navy. However the British laws were to hard on the American colonists. The Sugar Act of 1764, placed taxes on molasses, sugar and other products imported from places outside the British empire. Most of the colonists openly broken the law by smuggling, Since no one obeyed the laws the British cut the tax to a sixth of what it was. later on the British tried to enforce the Sugar Act by inspecting ships and searching homes for smuggled goods. Even thought Britain cut the taxes on molasses, the Sugar Act still cut into the business of colonial merchants and shipowners, and rum distillers. Other events such as the Stamp Act, and the Tea Act were the beginning signs of the revolution, The Tea ! Act levied a tax on the tea imported from the East India Company. The colonists got mad and destroyed The Political causes of the Revolution were the proclamation of 1763 which were plans to reduce conflicts with the colonists and the Indians. It stated that no one was permitted to cross the mountains without the consent of British officials. American fur traders who wanted to settle the western ...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

How the U.S. Is Countering Terrorism

How the U.S. Is Countering Terrorism Terrorism is not new, nor is the practice of trying to prevent it through  counterterrorism  measures. But as the number of terrorist attacks has skyrocketed in the 21st century, the United States and other nations have had to become much more proactive in defending their citizens from such violence.   Counterterrorism in the U.S. The U.S. government has made fighting terrorism a priority since the early 1970s, following the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, and several airline hijackings. But it was the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that made counterterrorism a pillar of domestic and foreign policy in the U.S. and beyond. The RAND Corporation, a defense policy think tank, defines the ongoing war on terror this way: Counterterrorism, since 2001, threatens terrorist safe havens, infiltrates terrorists financial and communications networks, hardens critical infrastructure, and connects the dots among the intelligence and law enforcement communities... Several federal agencies play critical roles in contemporary counterterrorism, both domestically and internationally, and often their efforts overlap. Among the most important are: Department of Homeland Security: The lead agency in charge of all domestic anti-terrorism and security activities.Department of State: Manages  the development and implementation of all U.S. government policies and programs aimed at countering terrorism overseasOffice of the Director of National Intelligence: Coordinates the gathering, analysis, and sharing of data among federal intelligence agencies such as the FBI and CIA.Federal Bureau of Investigation: Executes counterterrorism actions such as surveillance and investigation in conjunction with other law-enforcement agents at the local, state, and federal level.Central Intelligence Agency: Collects, analyzes, and shares international intelligence and data to inform and carry out U.S. foreign policy.National Counterterrorism Center: Plans  and coordinates counterterrorism policies and programs among federal agencies Fighting terrorism isnt limited to these agencies. The Department of Justice, for example, is responsible for prosecuting terror-related criminal cases, while the Department of Transportation frequently works on security issues with Homeland Security. State and local law enforcement agencies are often involved in some capacity as well.   On an international level, the U.S. government frequently cooperates with other countries on matters of security. The United Nations, NATO, and other nongovernmental organizations also have established counterterrorism policies of their own. Types of Counterterrorism Generally speaking, counterterrorism efforts have two goals: to protect the nation and its citizens from attack and to neutralize threats and actors who would attack the U.S. Defensive measures can be simple, like placing concrete bollards in front of buildings to stop an explosive-laden vehicle from getting too close. Video surveillance of public areas coupled with facial-recognition technology is another, considerably more advanced defensive counterterrorism measure. The security lines at U.S. airports, operated by the Transportation Security Agency, are yet another example. Offensive counterterrorism measures can range from surveillance and sting operations to arrests and criminal prosecutions to seizing financial assets and military action. In February 2018, for example, the Treasury Department froze the assets of six people known to conduct business with Hezbollah, an Islamic organization the U.S. has labeled a terrorist organization. The 2011 raid by Navy Special Forces on Osama bin Ladens Pakistan compound, which resulted in the death of the Al Qaeda leader, is one of the best-known examples of successful military counterterrorism activity. Sources Jenkins, Brian. Bush, Obama, And Trump: The Evolution Of U.S. Counterterrorist Policy Since 9/11. ICT.org.il. 24 September 2017.Lederman, Joshua. Taking Aim at Iran, US Hits Hezbollah With New Sanctions. StarTribune.com.  2 February 2018.Roser, Max; Nagdy, Moses; and Ritchie, Hannah. Terrorism. OurWorldInData.org. January 2018.United Nations staff. UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. UN.org.  United States Department of State. Country Reports on Terrorism 2016. State.gov. July 2017.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Internaional intercultural manangement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Internaional intercultural manangement - Essay Example Therefore, it is through culture that the world is organized into different spectrums, since culture comprises of diverse societal aspects, such as language, fashion, food and cuisines, religion, festivities and celebrations, and political-economic issues (Davis, 2004 p102). Additionally, it is through culture, that the understanding of values, assumptions, beliefs, customs and norms are defined, while also shaping the nature of institutions that are operable in the country and region. Simply put, the world is a chaotic place where there are several conflicting systems that renders the world prone to conflicts, and it is only through culture that order in the world can be established (LeBaron, 2003 n.p.). In the business realm, culture defines the nature of leadership within organisations, through stipulating what is expected of the leaders and their subordinates, what the leaders and their subordinates can and cannot do, and the nature of the influences that the leaders may have wit hin organisations (Hall, 1990 p55). ... Culture of Nigeria The fundamental aspect that shape and define the Nigerian culture is the multiplicity of ethnic groups and subsequent dialects, with the country having over 50 languages that are commonly spoken, and above 250 dialects (Kwittesential, 2013 n.p.). However, the largest ethnic groups in the country are the Igbo, the Yoruba and the Hausa-Fulani, each of which occupies a different region of the country, with the Igbo occupying the southeast, the Yoruba occupying the southwest, while the Hausa-Fulani occupies the north region of the country (Kwittesential, 2013 n.p.). The rest of the small communities are distributed throughout the country, but mostly placed within the central region, with all the ethnic groups in the country consisting of a total population of 170,123,740, according to the estimates of July 2010, with the Hausa-Fulani accounting for 29% of the total population, Yoruba 21% and the Igbo 18%, while the other 47 ethnic groups form the rest of the 42% of the country’s population (Kwittesential, 2013 n.p.). The country has many dialects and languages that are currently spoken, while some have subsequently been absorbed by others and eventually become extinct. However, the major language that defines Nigeria is English, which is laced with dialectical lexicon of pidgin forming an Anglo-African language that is characteristic of the Nigerian culture, a language that is not shared by many other countries, except for some few countries who are in the West African region of Africa, and who neighbours Nigeria (Osakwe, 2012 p7). In terms of religion, Nigeria has two major religions, with Muslim accounting for the majority of the population in the country, with close to half of the Nigerian

Friday, November 1, 2019

Assignment 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment 6 - Essay Example The issue was about a bill filed in the Congress of the Philippines of making Reproductive Health Services available to the general population. The argument was that, there is a high mortality rate of birth related deaths among impoverished mothers and such, mothers should be educated about birth spacing to reduce birth mortality and be given the means if they chooses to reduce their family size. Also, it was pointed out that the country being poor, where half of its population lives below poverty line and 21 % among them experiences hunger, family size should be managed according to their income. This can be done through the popular introduction of several methods of pregnancy prevention, including the usage of condoms and birth control pills. It was also discussed that condom can be used to stop the balloning HIV infection in the country which had exponentially increased in the last couple of years. This was however vehemently opposed by the Catholic hierarchy, and even went as far as threatening to excoummunicate the President of the Republic should he support the said bill.