by Herman Bailey | Feb 24, 2023 | Essays |
Abstract
The 21st century has completely changed the meaning of education. Learning has been affected by these generational changes. To foster better-learning educators need to understand the generation and its learning characteristics. The previous generations had to struggle to get their assignments done, unlike today’s click-through students who have technology to assist them all through. Despite having technology at their disposal the click-through students do not post better grades, in fact the students are failing even more. It is for these reasons that most educators’ recommend that the current education system needs to change since it is no longer supportive of the click-through generation students. Students demand for an A even when they do not deserve it, they question their educators, and give all sorts of excuses why they did not score a better grade. Most of the blame is put on technology rather on how effective the education system.
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“”The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” — Alvin Toffler
We believe it is time to present a new generation to the world, we have seen the unvoiced people generation, the Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, and the Millennial Generation. What we believe the generation teachers are beginning to see now is the Click-Through Generation.
The range of birth years determines the people in a particular generation. Generations can span many years; since people are individuals, not all members of a generation exhibit the same traits. It is important that we understand the generations and also embrace their uniqueness. Jopling suggests, by examining the values of different generations, we can better understand interpersonal relations and learn to cooperate with others (Jopling, 2004).
As a Professor I believe we are currently being faced with this new generation of students that are challenging the traditional teaching methods. “The students in this generation are not fit to study in the current education system”. This generation was born with technology in their hands, and they have absolutely no idea of what life was like without the ever-present cell phone, laptop, or iPad. These click-through students’ technology expectations surpass any previous generational expectations in that everything can be accomplished on a computer; it is not uncommon to hear –there is an app for that or check out YouTube. If you ask a click-through how long they have been using the internet and a computer, their reply more likely will be “my whole life” (Prensky, 2001).
Today’s students are the generation of instant everything from pudding to news. In other words, the students in this generation want it at the time they want! This generation, is by far the most confident generation, and they want to be loved and valued by everyone. They have never had to wait for anything they have always had what they needed to get by and often they had much more. Thus, their expectations are almost to the entitlement level; I want it, I get it.
The current generation’s students K through college are representatives of the generation that has grown up with technology. The students have been born surrounded with technology devices, such as the computers, videogames, digital music players, cameras, smart phones and other digital devices. Due to the increasing use of technology among these students, the students have spent less than 5,000 hours of their lives reading. Additionally, it is said that they have spent more than 10,000 hours playing video games with additional of 20,000 hours of watching TV. The click-through generation spent much time in their lives interacting with technology, therefore technology has become the most important parts in their lives (Prensky, 2001). .
The result of this mentality is that they believe they can do no wrong; the rules apply to others and not to them. They have always had someone to pick them up and dust them off, so they have little sense of accountability; it is always someone else’s fault when something does not work (Prensky, 2001).
In school, and in particular in an online college or high school course, these click-through students no longer read instructions and they are not willing to take the time to go through a tutorial on how to use an online Learning Management System or Homework System. Rather the click-through generation simply attempts to click-through the homework and then they don’t understand when they get less of a grade than they expected. The excuses are many, and they typically focus on how their technology failed them rather than the fact that they simply did not read the directions.
Even though this click-through generation is very well educated, like all young members of every generation they are quite naïve. They don’t think anyone will question their actions and when they are questioned or the evidence trail shows that they did not do as they said they did, they tend to turn a bit hostile and even blame the very technology that they demand. When, at the end of the term, they get a lower grade than they feel they deserve (of course it is an ‘A’) they naturally want to know why. When it is pointed out that they missed an assignment or exam which was listed in the course syllabus they claim that they never knew about it even though they clicked on the ‘I understand’ button on the syllabus, or sent an email stating they read and understood the syllabus. The click-through students are so used to seeing license agreements, terms and conditions, and other acknowledgements (that few people read), they just click the box and move on to the next page.
This new click-through generation will learn differently and we, as educators, will need to learn to teach differently. The authors of this article believe, although a challenge, this new generation will also enhance the way education will change to meet their needs. The need for textbook and lectures may become a thing of the past. The click-through generation will be the motivators of change over the next lustrum. Alvin Toffler was not so far off.
Bibliography
Jopling, J. (2004). Understanding Generations. Extension Service, p 36-41.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, p 12-16
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 24, 2023 | Essays |
Divorce is defined as the formal separation of a married couple. In the United States each and every states has a set of regulations that provide for ground for divorce. Ordinarily before divorce is formalized by a trial court a person is supposed to state the reason they want a divorce as well as proving that reason. In some states a couple that intend to divorce is required to live separately before divorce is granted. In the recent years couples could apply for divorce on not fault grounds. The common grounds for divorce include adultery, cruelty, abandonment, incapacity and criminal convictions. This paper will evaluate the trends of divorce in the United States and the causes of divorce. In the first part the paper shall focus on the statistics of divorce and determine whether or not divorce rates are on the rise or not. In the second part the paper will look at the cause of divorce in the United States. The paper will then have a conclusion that will summarize the statistics and cause of divorce in the United States.
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Divorce Trends in the United States
Divorce occurs when married couples are no longer on the same page regarding the marriage and are unwilling to negotiate to stay married. Divorce trends in the United States has been stable for over forty years and increased dramatically in for three years during the great depression and World War II. After the World War II the rate of marriages increased by 16.2 percent and at the same time the rate of divorces increased by 4.3 percent. This rate of increase in divorce remained the same into the 1980s. In the 1990s the rate of divorce increased by 4.1 percent. It was in the year 2009 when the rate of divorce hit its lowest mark of 2.7 percent divorces per 1,000 people. As years went by the rate of divorces continued to increase due to various factors. It is because of these increased trends in divorce that led to the assumption that half of the marriages in the United States end up in divorce. According to the United States Census bureau that divorce rate in America have continued to rise from the 1960s up to date (United States Census Bureau 1). Although the rates of divorce have reduced from the previous years the figure is still high in the American Society.
The Causes of Divorce in the United States
Changes in the societies understanding of marriage has affected divorce trends. Enactment of laws that are not strict on divorce played a role in contributing to the rise of divorce rates. For instance, allowing the no-fault divorce has given many people more reasons to divorce. The Divorce Reform Act of 1969 brought so many changes regarding the grounds for divorce. It was no longer necessary for people to prove grounds for divorce such as adultery, abandonment, incapacity they could simply divorce if things were not working out or they were not happy. Couples took advantage of this law without giving thought into its implications. Although the same law still exists, people are paying much attention to the reason for divorce and the implication it would have on their children or family (Richards 10). Another law that resulted to increase in divorce trends in the 1980s and 1990s was the Matrimonial Family Proceedings Act of 1985. Before the enactment of this Act any person seeking divorce had to stay separated from the person they seeking divorce from for at least three years before actual divorce is granted. When the Act was enacted it allowed couples to divorce without giving much thought whether or not their marital issues could be resolved.
With the presence of the law that seems to support divorce, divorce became socially acceptable since many people were divorcing. In the 1960s women were primarily depended on men. However, in the recent years women have access to education and have high paying jobs and are much more independent and can financially support themselves. It is because of such reasons that separation or divorce has become a much easier choice for women than before.
Statistics also indicate that couples are getting married for various reasons other than companionship and are having high expectation of marriage. When people get into the institution of marriage thinking that it will make them look better and if this does not happen so they opt to get out of the marriage resulting to increased incidences of divorce.
Income of couples in a marriage has been one of the primary reasons why people divorce. Research has indicated that couples with an average income of $50,000 are more likely to end up divorced compared to those who earn less that $25,000. Economic constrains are likely to lead to disagreements and the most likely solution for such couple would be to seek dissolution of their marriage. It is recommended that to avoid a marriage ending up in divorce they should both have a modest income.
Couples who cohabit before marriage are also likely to end up in divorce if they marry. The risk is even higher for those who live together with more than one partner. Living together is said to hinder the building of a strong commitment in the relationship or to each other hence less importance of marriage. This goes in line with pregnancy before marriage. Statistics in America indicate that more than 37% of children are born to parents who are not married. When these parents eventually marry, it is reported that 72 percent will likely separate or divorce before the child starts school. The rest who don’t marry are likely to raise the child separately without marriage.
Being raised by divorcee parents has also been attributed to the increased trends of divorce in America. Children experiencing the divorce of their parents have a double risk of their marriages ending in divorce. For those who marry spouse that have experienced divorce then the risk of the divorce is said to have tripled. This statistics indicate why divorce is common from one generation to another.
Conclusion
It is evident from the American Bureau of Statistics that divorce trend rates has been on the increase in the recent years. Although the figure continues to reduce it is still high. A number of factors have been attributed to this increase in divorce rates. The common grounds for divorce such as cruelty, adultery, abandonment and incapacity are no longer considered and that people are allowed to divorce for no reason. In addition the number of years before divorce is actually allowed has been reduced from three years to zero years. Several factors are associated with this increased trend of divorce, such as the laws for divorce themselves, societal views, education, cohabitation before marriage, income of couples and many others.
Works Cited
U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). “Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) 2008 panel, Wave 2 Topical Module”. Census Bureau Washington, DC: U.S..
Wright, Richards. (1889). “A report on marriage and divorce in the United States, 1867 to 1886”. Government Printing Office. Washington, DC: U.S.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 24, 2023 | Essays |
The two articles and the James Toole talk do not give an exact definition of what is big data. However, all the sources have a similar explanation of what is big data? Gary and Davis explain that big data is everywhere; from their explanation big data can be defined as the computerized data obtained from the zillion of searches in Google, the phone records, airline statistics, and other kinds of data that is used to predict the future. Big data is used to predict the health of people, the buying behavior and other kinds of behavior that occur in our lives. Lohr explains that big data is the advanced technology that opens new approaches to understanding the world and decision making. Big data is the bulk of new and old information that grows every year by over 50 percent. Toole on the other hand explains that big data is the everyday activities that are done repeatedly, in this case it is done on a computer and is stored on the hard drive of a computer, he data is then sued in the future to make decisions and predict the future.
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The new thing about big data is how the information is used. As Lohr explains big data is evolving on a day to day basis, the existing information on the internet changes and new statistics of information is formed. Toole explanation is more similar; big data keeps on changing. When Twitter was innovated, it became a necessity for most social media users. Gary and Davis say that new data will not only be important to technological development. It is possible to use big data to predict the future accurately. Big data can be used to detect correlations, for instance, the murder rates in the United States compared to the market share or internet explorer. Between 2006 and 2011 big data was used to predict the relationship between autism and the sales of organic foods.
Big data creates employment opportunities, according to Lohr Mo Zhou, who is a fresh MBA graduate who works at I.B.M as a data consultant helps companies predict the future through the massive traffic data. In this way, the company can cut on costs, predict profits and losses. Justin Grimmer is also another beneficiary of big data opportunities, he analyzes blogs and congregational papers, creating an analysis of how political ideas spread.
Despite the many advantages and opportunities big data creates it comes with many problems. First is that the big data analysis does not tell us the meaningful data analyzed. It is upon the user to determine which more meaningful data are. Secondly, big data cannot be used to solve wholly scientific problems. Although the analysis obtained is important, scientific tests need a proper understanding of the original concepts. Thirdly is with regards to accuracy, big data analysis tools can easily be manipulated and not show the true meaning of data.
The main ethical issue about big data is that the analysis is influential to behavior. Through big data, organizations can make decisions that do not influence any aspect o the organization. Big data use is as predicted by Toole is likely to interfere with privacy. For instance cloud storage can easily be interfered with by third parties. It is for this reason that he warns us to be careful when using the internet. Big data relates to the topic data often results in statistics, which in return is used as evidence. It is important to understand big data and related problems so as to determine whether or not to rely on statistics as evidence.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 23, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
Retail marketing has been in constant evolution. Previous promotional methods are no longer effective way of marketing products. New technological inventions have changed the way retailers associate with consumers. Consumers have an added advantage since they have many avenues to attain better products at a subsidized price. Producers aim at reaching a wider market without necessarily reducing the prices of their products. Various factors must be put in mind when promoting both new and existing products (Omar 1999). Understanding consumers and the new market trend is important for increasing sales of any product. From time to time companies come up with new promotional and marketing strategies to cater for the needs of the consumers and to attract consumers of the competitors’ products. This paper shall discuss contemporary retail marketing in consideration with consumer behaviour, consumer buying decision and evolution of retail marketing.
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Evolution of Retail marketing.
Retail marketing in constantly evolving and requires more creativity and innovativeness to reach a lager number of consumers. Retail marketing now requires creative approach to sale of both existing and new products. The ways need to be simple and easily achievable. Strategies of selling products differ from one product to another and the target market. Technology has been one of the primary dynamics of retail marketing. Consumers no longer want to travel long distances in such of a product that can be as well delivered within the comfort of their homes. It is for this reasons that retail marketing is embracing the digital innovations.
Several websites have been created, whereby products are sold online and delivered to the buyers wherever they are. An example is Amazon.com, which allows retailers to sell their products both new and existing to a wide range of consumers. A number of stores have also created on;line websites for selling thei products both locally and overseas. Through such a platform retailers can reach more consumers both the loyal ones and the new markets. For instance, through Omni-channel retailing consumers are able to conduct research, interact and purchase goods at their own convenience. Therefore retailers can use digital media to attract consumers into the store. Omni-channel retailing allows consumers to balance between online and mobile shopping experiences.
Another use of technology is through social media retailing. The retailers can use social media to connect with the target audience. An example is pint rest, which displays to the consumers the most viewed products of the week, this makes it is easier for the online consumers to identify and purchase the same products based on the social media trends. The purchasing cycle has also been chosen through payment options like PayPal, Google wallet and other mobile payment applications. Retailers therefore do not have to trade in cash. They can spend their money on products repeatedly giving the retailers a higher chance from their competitors without interfering with the price of their products.
Consumer Behaviour
Various models of consumer behaviour have been designed for several years. The consumer behaviour models provide different buying situations that consumers find themselves in. A retailer can choose to create its model by conduction of a market research. Through such research the retailer can identify consumers who buy or do not buy its products. They will also get accessed to important marketing decisions such as pricing, distribution and promotion strategies. Fortunately, these researches can be tailor-made to fall within the clients preferences. The researches involve finding the problem, finding the records, accessing published data sources and deciding whether one on one feedback is necessary. Various research methods are used such as, surveys (online), consumer observational behaviour, and experiments.
Consume lifestyle changes have affected retail marketing in several ways. Nowadays consumers are driven by their desire to manage their spending, and improvement of their quality of life. In return they expect retailers to consider these factors in marketing and selling of both new and existing products. Retailers who demonstrate social responsible practices are viewed as more trustworthy. For instance retailers who promote health living and conservation of the environment are likely to have for consumers of their products in spite of high prices of the products. A research by Institute of Business Value discovered that retailers who promote environmental conservation are likely o have more consumers buying from them.
Personal characteristic and lifestyle of an individual are not usually affected by price. What such individuals look for is the quality of the product they are investing into. For example, lovers of arts and antique are likely to spend a fortune to get the desired product. In addition people who love wine can pay a large sum of money to get the wine of their desire.
As Keller (2013) explains personal of an individual is defined by their character traits, self confidence, dominance and aggressiveness. People who have high-self confidence would not buy discounted products at the same time investing in highly expensive products for some, leads to attainment of self-esteem and confidence. It is therefore possible for a product to be promoted without price reduction.
Communication is another important aspect in promotion of both new and existing products. Consumers are likely to buy their products from retailers who listen and communicate to them. For instance retailers can communicate with the consumers through, coupons, newsletters, and in-store guides to assist the customers and to also explain to the customer more about the products on sale. Ralph Laurens Kiosk Innovations for example, provided a new twist to window shopping. The retailers allowed consumers to shop buy touching on the window shop touch sensory. Further, retailers that use self service kiosk seem to register higher sales than those who are in store. Consumers value their time and would not queue to purchase a product in spite of its price when the same product is being sold at a self service store perhaps at a higher price.
Simple strategies like branding and packaging of products affect consumer buying patterns. Consumers are more likely to purchase products that have been well branded and packaged at a higher price than cheaply package products.
Consumer Buying decision
Price reduction is a strategy that is used by most retailers to influence consumer buying decisions. It is for this reason that most retailers discount their products to influence consumers to buying their products. However, this is usually not the case especially where consumers do not view price as a factor to hinder them from getting the product of their choice. As Kotler and Armstrong explain price is not always a tool to build a stronger relationship with consumers (2012). They device and state that there are five factors that influence consumer buying decisions. Sometimes however, as Wileman and Jary (1997) explains price reduction cannot be used to sell all the products.
Retails therefore need to have a good promotional plan that will increase awareness of their products to consumers and provide new information for the new products. Promotion of existing products is usually done to get rid of old stock and at the same time promote new products. Retailers may choose to put products they want to sale quickly at the entrance of the store to attract purchase. With all this considerations in mind it is important to remember that promotion of new products can stand alone without price reduction.
Consumer buying behaviour can be categorized into four. First is the routine programmed behaviour, whereby the consumers’ buys low priced items and the buying behaviour is usually spontaneous. The second is limited decision making behaviour, which involves buying of products occasionally, only when it is necessary. Extensive decision making behaviour involves buying of highly expensive products and is common with persons of higher income. Lastly, is impulse buying, which involves buying products without putting much though into the reason for buying.
The incomes of most consumers dictate the need to purchase a particular product. Consumers who earn a high income are likely not to be guided by the price of goods they purchase. Such consumers look for quality and also how other people will look at them when they purchase a particular product (Gilbert 2003). Another factor that influences consumer buying decision is the occupation of the consumer. Mangers, banker, and lawyers are interested in having an expensive pair of suit and shoes. They will therefore not invest in a low- priced suit because they have the money and at the same time want good quality.
Culture is another factor that influences consumer behaviour and buying decisions. Culture constitutes the personal beliefs and attitudes developed by an individual as they grew up. Culture is usually passed from parent to child and from one generation to another. If a child grew up knowing expensive is better, then such Childs buyer behaviour will not be influenced by how much a product is discounted.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it is clear that retail marketing strategies have changed. Retailers need to device new strategies to attract more consumers for both new and existing products. Understanding consumer behaviour is primary in any promotional plan. The price of products does not dictate the promotional plan and consumer buying behaviour. Consumers are guided by their personal beliefs and economic class in buying retail products. Technological inventions can be used by retailers to influence the buying behaviour of consumers. Consumers are striking to have access to comfort and variety and not necessarily discount on products. Retailers need to put the needs of consumers first by conducting various market research to find out the main factors that influence buying in their niche. What most consumers seem to strive for is quality of products and services they receive, availability and the general branding and packaging of the product. It is important for retail stores to embrace and invent new promotional strategies and avoid focusing on price as a promotional strategy. This is because consumers are quikly changing their priorities nd no longer see price as a hindrance to accessing different products.
References
Gilbert, D., (2003), Retail Marketing Management, Second Edition, Financial Times /Prentice Hall, London.
Kortler, P & Armstrong, G, 2012, Principles of Marketing, Pearson, ISBN.
Kelly, S. B, 2003, Trends and issues for ecotourism & sustainable tourism, United Nations.
Omar, O. (1999) Retail Marketing, Financial Times/Pitman Publishing, London.
Wileman, A. and Jary, M. (1997) Retail Power Plays: From Trading to Brand Leadership, Macmillan Press Ltd, London
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 23, 2023 | Essays |
I was 12 years old when I saw my grandfather die of undiagnosed diabetic coma. This occurrence ignited the need to fight against avoidable death. Two years later I was invited to a class majoring in biology in one of the Moscow top high schools. The classes were taught by professors from Moscow State University. This experience instilled in me critical thinking and research skills a good foundation for University. In my course project, I opted to study birch leaves variability using geometric morphometry, etiological features of hamsters and the differences in response to exercise between genders. The whole high school experience was very challenging and a wonderful learning experience, allowing me to grasp basic sciences skills in Medical University.
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I had reservations about going to medical school since I wasn’t sure of my future specialty. I, however, decided to, when an opportunity came my way. During my first meeting with the student research group, we visited one of the largest centers for cardiovascular surgery. We visited the Neonatal Cardiac ICU, which made me realize how much knowledge, commitment and skills I needed for the life of patients would be in my hands. However, I stacked on a big surgery and was motivated enough, that a year later I made a presentation to a student section of all Russian meeting for Cardiac Surgeons. That experience built my courage and the need to learn even more.
Being the enthusiastic student, I volunteered in the thoracic department in one of the largest local hospitals. In the three years as a volunteer, I acquired several skills such as understanding of the protocols of adult cardiac and thoracic procedures. In the evenings, I was involved in peer recordings of operations and analyzed them frame by frame.
I was very passionate about learning, and I remember in the third year I carried with me thin rubber tubes, sutures, and instruments. Sometimes people would steal weird glances at me when I would request to buy porcine hearts for my private practice anastomoses. Most of the time I would also scrub in for experiments in animal facilities; in addition, I would assist transmyocardial laser revascularization procedures. I found it very tricky to mark tiny burns with epicardialprolene 7/0 sutures in an off-pump setting.
I believe that my fine motor skills acquired some benefits from intensive piano lessons I had as a child. My parents were perfectionists, wanting to raise a new Van Cliburn. I still have a photo of myself in Moscow Conservatory playing a grand piano. Who would have thought I would be here, thank God my parents quit my musical career and allowed me to be a doctor.
I have always been lucky to have teachers who nurtured my medical judgment in line with an evidence-based approach. Medicine is indeed an art to some extent; you only need years of experience to make sense of it. As a young doctor, it is reasonable to rely on guidelines with proven efficacy than on diagnostic acumen or the sixth sense. High-quality physical examination training and history taking is the oldest tradition in our medical school. With the few years of exposure to clinical surgery I have learned that ‘big preparing means small surgery’ and vice-versa.
Service to all my patients has always been my priority that I enjoy using both my medical and non-medical skills. I remember a 33-year old man who was suffering from malignant thymoma with an extensive local invasion and a complicated vena cava syndrome. My enthusiasm for medical imaging and 3D modeling helped me design a radical resection. I do not see a reward bigger than a thank you. Little things, for instance, dressing a patient on your day off are what makes me feel happy to be a doctor.
I am very passionate about finding solutions to non-trivial problems. I remember a group of students and I investigated intracardiac hemodynamic at Barkley Centre, we then invented a robust and precise method of trabecular meshwork measurements for the left ventricular cavity. This year I have been lucky enough to spend a few months in Baltimore studying hospitalization data. I familiarized myself with statistical language R and wrote some scripts for automatic trends analysis.
During my internship, I have confirmed that I made the right choice. Surgery is a unique blend of clinical medicine, fundamental science, and erudition in related areas allowing you to focus on one problem at a time. Last year, was my best year, my dreams came true. I was able to get high-quality training in the United States. With those skills, I will make all possible efforts to become an excellent surgeon and perhaps make some contribution to science. Five years from now, I would love to be in thoracic or vascular fellowship. From the residency program, I will receive vigorous training, stay motivated and a compassionate team player eager to help his patients and colleagues. I realize that I found myself, and it is time to create myself.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
