Baseball Essay -- essays research papers

I stood yesterday afternoon engaged in the immense time consuming game of baseball. I stood there contemplating on what ideas, mainly about baseball, were being distorted and confused. Then it hit me†¦   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is much dissatisfaction in the fact that baseball, besides all other sports, is played at an exceptionally sluggish rate and in most cases might not ever end. Many spectators see baseball as a boring sport that wastes their time. I mean just imagine what else you could be accomplishing if you weren’t sitting at a baseball game relaxing with your family, enjoying a delightful hotdog, on a nice summer day, while watching your favorite team play Although baseball seems especially appealing to people, there are others who believe that no matter what the situation is, whether it be day or night, summer or winter, preseason or playoffs, baseball will always keep it amazingly leisurely pace and keep its viewers hypnotized by its incredible monotony†¦   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is indeed natural for people to consider from experience that if something seems tedious then it most likely is; but no one ever thinks about the people who essentially recognize the truth about baseball. These people, whether black or white, tall or short, fat or skinny, are the athletes, rich or poor, who play the sport and realistically know the true joys of their sport†¦   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is nothing more common among...

Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf Beowulf was written during the Anglo-Saxon time period. Beowulf is a story about a young warrior and his quest through life. Some people consider Beowulf a tragic hero, and some people just consider him a hero period. Whether Beowulf is a tragic hero or not, he fights many great battles. The reason Beowulf fights stays basically the same but it changes a little. In the beginning of the book, Beowulf goes to help the Danes out by killing Grendel. Grendel is a ferocious monster that has been killing the Danes in the mead hall (115). During this time period, warriors will celebrate their victories and tell of their accomplishments by singing. This social gathering has started bothering Grendel because he can hear all the noise and happiness coming from the mead hall. This is making Grendel jealous because he is a descendant from Cain, and knows he will never feel happy (106). Grendel goes into the mead hall at night, and he begins killing everyone in there. News of how Grendel is murdering the Danes starts to spread all over. When Beowulf hears about Grendel, he feels that it is his obligation to stop Grendel from killing anymore. Beowulf leaves to go to Herot to kill Grendel. He is mostly being praised for his long journey to face this terrible monster. Beowulf says, "Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my s word; I shall not" (677). Beowulf feels that he can defeat Grendel even without a weapon. The first night, they have a celebration in the mead hall, and the warriors fall asleep in the hall. Grendel makes his usual nightly visit and finds many victims waiting to be killed (725). To his surprise, he meets his match, which happens to be Beowulf (748). After a brief confrontation, Beowulf rips Grendel’s arm off, and Grendel runs away to die (823). Beowulf is considered a hero now for risking his life to stop Grendel from killing anymore Danes (837). Not only does Beowulf protect all the Danes, he also receives many rewards. Beowulf is doing a good thing, but all his motives are not the most honorable motives. This shows the Pagan values of the time. Materialistic things meant a lot to people during this time. The next day, there is a celebration of Grendel’s death. Beowulf and his group of warriors leave the mead hall to go sleep in their beds (1300).

Kanyon Information Technology Solutions

Kanyon Information Technology Solutions deals with CRM and ERP software, IT Tier 1& 2 Support, Security Solution (network security and such) and ITIL consulting services. The target consumers for these services are the other business houses. In this case, the best approach would be contacting the prospects or target consumers directly through company representatives. The best way for the company is to have a zero level or one level distribution channel.Business organizations can be contacted in various ways. The concerned people from the target organizations read business magazines and journals, IT magazine and journals, visit various websites, trade shows, technology shows, events and exhibitions and many others.   These marketing avenues can be capitalized in order to advertise and market these products.Print Media:Print media being traditional way of advertising and marketing are still acceptable people finding it convenient to carry a magazine and read it in their free time. Th ere are numbers of business journals, news papers, IT journals and others which advertise IT and business products. Companies can identify their target consumer and their reading habits and advertise its products and solutions in the same.WebsiteThese products are targeted for businesses. It will be beneficial for the company to advertise these on different websites. When a prospect consumer will start looking for IT solutions, he is most likely to check search engines first. The company can advertise as well as can have its own website. The advertising cost in website will be less.Trade shows and other Events:This is other important way to contact target consumers. Trade shows offers an opportunity to demonstrate your products and solutions to the prospective clients. The IT and industry specific trade shows will allow Kanyon Information Technology Solutions to develop their advertising material and business plan according to the industry specific needs.Competitive Sales Force:Comp etitive sales for can be hired and trained for the product demonstrations and selling. The sales team can comprise of experienced people from the industry or competitors. They can have aggressive sales targets and proper support and facilities to meet these targets.Retailers:KITS can also appoint retailers for marketing of their services. These retailers may have expertise of selling IT products and solutions to the market place. They can be dealing with products and solutions of other IT companies as well. This will allow company to have a retailer with experience and consumer data base. The retailer may contact its existing customers and cross sell or up sell KITS products.Using Wholesaler:Use of wholesaler for the IT products will increase the cost of final product. Wholesaler will contact retailers to sell the products and solutions to the market place. The control of KITS over the retailers would be less. The products may face the problem of different pricing and offers from di fferent wholesalers and their retailers. The channel conflict will be higher and company will have lesser control. IT products are prone to fast changes. It is dangerous for the company to have its product in the form of inventory. Higher the numbers of members in the distribution channel higher will be the inventory time. This will increase the risk of getting products and solutions out dated and out of market place.Reference:Kitchen, P.J. (1994), â€Å"The Marketing Communication Revolution: A Leviathan Unveiled?†, Marketing Intelligence and Planning, 12(.2) 19-25.Kotler, Philip (2001) Marketing Management, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 10th EditionLisa Hoecklin. (1995).Managing Cultural Differences: Strategies for Competitive Advantage. Wokingham:Addison-Wesley Publisher Ltd.Mà ¶ller, K. and Wilson, D. (1995), Business Marketing: An Interaction and Network Perspective. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell.Shimp, T.E. (1997), Advertising, Promotion and Supplemental Aspect s of Integrated Marketing Communication, 4th ed. Fort Worth, Texas: The Dryden Press

Outdoor-lifestyle retailer Essay

Executive Summary BBQfun will be the leading outdoor-lifestyle retailer, catering to the growing need for furnishing new and renovated dwellings in the greater Brisbane area. The assortment offer of BBQs, outdoor furniture and BBQ accessories will position BBQfun as best inclass for outdoor-lifestyle retailing. BBQfun will reinvent the way people shop for outdoor-lifestyle products. BBQfun will build its reputation on offering the fullest assortment of products possible in our chosen fields, incorporating both local and imported goods with products sold on easy to manage long-term payment plans. Our after sales service and 3 year guarantees will find traction with a market dominated by low-quality. Situation Analysis BBQfun is close to entering its fifth year of operation. Te initial rollout of stores has been well received, and marketing is now critical to its continued success and future profitability. The store offers wide-ranging outdoor-lifestyle items on easy to manage payment terms and supplies a three year guarantee on every item sold. The basic market need is for quality, fashionable and unique outdoor-lifestyle items that caters to the house-proud needs of our market. Market Summary BBQfun possess good information about the market and knows a great deal about the common attributes of our most prized and loyal customers. BBQfun will leverage this information to better understand who is served, their specific needs, and how BBQfun can better communicate with them. Market Demographics †¢ Accessibility. The patron can gain easy access to the store with minimal wait. †¢ Customer service. The patron will be impressed with the after sales service and Guarantees. †¢ Competitive pricing. All products/services will be competitively priced relative to comparable high-end outdoor-lifestyle lines. Above all, BBQfun believes that easy to access stores with extensive choices in our chosen fields, that are sold on an easy to manage payment plan with a three year guarantee are the keys to our customer’s needs and wants. Market Trends The market trend for outdoor-lifestyle stores is headed toward a more sophisticated and informed customer. The outdoor-lifestyles patron today relative to yesterday is more sophisticated in a number of different ways. †¢ Item quality. The preference for high-quality items is increasing as customers are learning to appreciate the qualitative differences. †¢ Unique. Our patrons appreciate the opportunity to include outdoor-lifestyles in their home that stand out from the mass produced and sold low quality items. †¢ Selection. People are demanding a larger selection of choices, they are no  longer accepting a limited offer in outdoor-lifestyles. The reason for this trend is that within the last couple of years there has been an explosion of media in the form of TV shows and magazines that have promoted exotic and different outdoor-lifestyles. Our patrons no longer need to accept a limited number of options. With more choices, patrons have become more sophisticated. This trend is intuitive as you can observe a more sophisticated patron in larger city markets such as Sydney or Melbourne where there has been more choices available. BBQfun strongly believes that customers are more interested in range of products, after sales service and easy to manage payments than any other issues. These are the reasons that they will shop with us and become loyal patrons. Technological developments with the broadband rollout across greater Brisbane and Australia is opening up significant opportunities for internet shopping and for providing information for our customers about our product range. Market Growth In 2008, the National outdoor-lifestyle market reached $300 million dollars. Outdoor lifestyle sales are estimated to grow by at least 6% for the next few years. This growth can be attributed to several different factors. The greater disposable household income from the two income families, the greater availability of affordable and interesting quality imports with the high value of the Australian dollar and the marketing by popular TV shows like ‘Homes Beautiful’ and ‘Better Outdoor-lifestyles’. Economy Based on economic forecasts, BBQfun assumes that interest rates are staying steady and so will have no affect on disposable income. The same assumption is made about employment levels, where BBQfun assumes that unemployment levels remain the same at 4.7%. Political From research carried out, BBQfun identified that the Government focus and emphasis in future legislative direction will be about ‘growing the economy’ and ‘population base which BBQfun sees as a positive for their business model. There is also a strong push for environmentally sound business practices in the legislative framework. BBQfun, as business operating in Australia, will abide by the law in all its dealings and comply with all legislation that impacts on its business activities. SWOT Analysis The following SWOT analysis captures the key strengths and weaknesses within the company, and describes the opportunities and threats facing BBQfun. Strengths †¢ Excellent staff who are highly skilled and knowledgeable about outdoor-lifestyles. †¢ Great retail space that is bright, functional and efficient for a commercial urban district. †¢ High customer loyalty among repeat customers. †¢ Assortment offerings that exceed competitors offerings in quality, range and accessibility. Weaknesses †¢ A limited marketing budget to develop brand awareness due to the lack of critical mass and store cover. †¢ The struggle to continually fund the growing long term repayment plans taken out by our customers. Opportunities †¢ A growing market in a high growth area with a significant percentage of the target market still not aware of BBQfun’s offer. †¢ Increasing sales opportunities outside of our target area – greater Brisbane. Threats †¢ Competition from local independents that can reduce prices as owner operators lower than our staff run stores. †¢ Competition from National chains moving into the Brisbane market. †¢ A slump in the economy reducing customer’s disposable income spent on outdoor-lifestyles. Competition National Competition †¢ The Yard: has a limited selection but significant depth. All Australian made. No significant marketing or promotion. The price point is high, but the quality of products are quite good. Not in Brisbane. Mostly in Sydney and Melbourne. †¢ BBQ’s R us: Broad range of outdoor-lifestyle products including trinkets and furnishings. Lots of cheap imports. Concentrating on established markets. Strong in the replacements segment. Not in Brisbane. Mostly in Melbourne and Adelaide. †¢ Outdoorz: Large operations of only a few stores per city. Mass markets outdoor lifestyles at good value prices. No imported goods. Extensive advertising. Low to medium quality. Not in Brisbane. Strong in the replacement segment rather than new and refurbished  dwellings. Strong in other capital cities. Local Competition †¢ All independents. These stores are owned by individual owner operators. Ranges vary according to owner preferences. Very little imports. Mostly retailing Australian manufactured goods. Collectively their average item sale price is $250, have a market share of 48%, and are growing at about 8% per year. BBQfun do not see the competitors changing their marketing strategy or product offer in the foreseeable future. Growth and Share Analysis New dwellings – growth in potential customers 10%. Estimated Brisbane customer numbers in 2010 is 95,000. Renovations – growth in potential customers 7%. Estimated Brisbane customer numbers in 2010 is 35,000. Replacement – growth in potential customers 5%. Estimated Brisbane customer numbers in 2010 is 120,000. Service Offering BBQfun has created a outdoor-lifestyles range of retail products that are differentiated and superior to competitors. Customers can see the quality of the product as it is displayed in the stores. The following are characteristics of the product: 1. BBQfun’s credit offer is backed by a top tier bank. 2. Imported products make up 33% of the assortment. 3. The 3 year guarantee is unique in the market place. 4. Broadest possible range in chosen fields. BBQfun’s prides itself on providing service that is on par if not better than any of the local independent stores and far in excess of the national chains. BBQfun will ensure that all aspects that are involved in the delivery of satisfaction to the customer will work using an integrated approach. At a Glance–The Prototype BBQfun Store: †¢ Location: a commercial, suburban neighbourhood, or urban retail district. †¢ Design: bright and functional. †¢ Size: 1,000 to 1,500 m2. †¢ Employees: 15 to 20 full time plus casuals †¢ Types of transactions: 60% cash, 40% on long term repayment plan. Keys to Success Location. BBQfun’s site selection criteria are critical to success. Scott Bremmer, former partner of an international chain, helped us identify the following site selection criteria: †¢ New dwelling populations. †¢ Shopping patterns requiring easy access. †¢ Customer car parking counts. Critical Issues BBQfun is still in the speculative stage as a possible franchise concept or joint venture. Its critical issues are: †¢ Committed to sales growth which allows for greater options in import assortments and in reduced price with volume buys. This will promote our uniqueness and contribute to improved profit margins. †¢ Continue to finance the easy manage long term repayment plan for customers. †¢ Locate in easy access sites close to the growing markets in new dwelling development. Marketing Strategy BBQfun’s advertising budget is set at $250,000 for the year. The advertising program will target local letter-box drops, radio and magazines. BBQfun’s will do direct mail and local advertising, with coupon inserts in the BrisNews magazine likely to be the most successful of the campaigns. BBQfun will try to get articles about BBQfun into the BrisNews magazine. Previous features in the BrisNews magazine has seen a dramatic increase of sales immediately after the article was published. Mission BBQfun’s mission is to provide customers with the most extensive assortment of quality outdoor-lifestyle products available in the market. Our after sales service is second to none supported by our easy to manage long term repayment plans which make unique, imported and high quality outdoor-lifestyle affordable to all. BBQfun exist to attract and maintain outdoor-lifestyle customers wishing to purchase products that give our customers pride in their homes. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers. Marketing Objectives 1. Increase sales from $15million per year to $20million per year in the next  three years 2. Increase our loyalty customers list from 10,000 to 16,000. 3. Establish brand recognition in Brisbane so that at least 2 in 3 people recognise our brand in a random survey taken in 18 months time. 3.3 Financial Objectives 1. A double-digit growth rate for each future year. 2. Reduce the overhead per store through disciplined management of expenses. 3. Continue increase our gross profit margins. Target Marketing The market can be segmented into three target populations: †¢ New dwellings – generally want to purchase entire suites. Typically shopped as couples. Price sensitive to a point but co-ordination is the highest priority. †¢ Renovations – demand for high quality and different items. Unique and exotic over rides price concerns. †¢ Replacement – basic functional products that replace and broken or worn item. Single shopper. Cheap price required. The BBQfun customers are mostly aged between 20 and 50, making up 50% of the new and renovated dwelling market. Outdoor-lifestyle stores have been very successful in stand alone, extensive car park access, close to new housing estates being established. These areas have families who have household disposable incomes of over $40,000 per year. Combining several key demographic factors, BBQfun arrives at a profile of the primary customer as follows: †¢ Sophisticated people who are house proud. †¢ Shoppers who will drive to an easy to access store. †¢ A customers who requires payment plans to spread their commitment over an extended period. †¢ Renovators and new home builders †¢ 20-50 year olds Positioning BBQfun will position itself as a broad assortment, quality, unique outdoor-lifestyle retailer. Brisbane consumers who appreciate high-quality and uniqueness will recognize the value and unique offerings of BBQfun. Patrons will be single as well as families, ages 20-50. BBQfun’s positioning will leverage their competitive edge: †¢ Product. The product will be wide ranging, quality and unique. It offers the house proud customer a different  option from the cheap mass produced offer prevalent in the market †¢ Service. BBQfun offer the only 3 years guarantee in the market. Our easy play payment scheme is just what our mortgage repaying customers welcome. Our experienced staff can assist with product knowledge second to none in the industry. By offering a superior service in range and uniqueness, BBQfun will excel relative to the competition and achieve our objectives. Strategy Pyramids The single objective is to position BBQfun as the premier outdoor-lifestyles store in the greater Brisbane area, commanding a majority of the market share within five years. The marketing strategy will seek to first create customer awareness regarding their services offered, develop that customer base, and work toward building customer loyalty and referrals. The message that BBQfun will seek to communicate is that BBQfun offers the widest, most exotic, easy access outdoor-lifestyle products in Brisbane. This message will be communicated through a variety of methods. The first will be direct mail. The direct mail campaign will be a way to communicate directly with the consumer. BBQfun will also use ads and inserts in Brizzy magazine.The last method for communicating BBQfun’s message is through a grassroots PR campaign. This campaign will invite people from Brizzy for lunch to get articles written about BBQfun into the news. Because of this level of effectiveness and low/zero cost, BBQfun will work hard to get press in the Brizzy. BBQfun also believe that the local patrons far prefer to receive information from the store via flyers in the letterbox. Marketing Mix BBQfun’s marketing mix is comprised of these following approaches to pricing, distribution, advertising and promotion, and customer service. †¢ Pricing. While BBQfun will price at comparable prices for comparable quality, it will not be cheap. We push value over cheap and back this up with a 3 year guarantee. †¢ Distribution. BBQfun products will be distributed through a chain of retail stores which customers can access easily via the large car parking arrangements. †¢ Advertising and Promotion. The most successful advertising will be ads and inserts in the Brizzy as well as a PR campaign of informational articles and reviews also within the Brizzy. Promotions will take the form of in store entertainment and competitions with prizes to exotic overseas destinations. †¢ Customer Service. BBQfun’s philosophy is  that whatever needs to be done to make the customer happy must occur, this investment will pay off with a fiercely loyal customer base who is extremely vocal to their friends with referrals. Product development It is envisaged that new products will be developed on a regular basis in line with changes in customer taste which is targeted at every 12 months. The plan for product testing is to engage market research firms. By getting feedback from these firms, changes can be made or products ‘canned’ so that only tested and proven products make it onto the store assortment list. Marketing Research During the initial phases of the marketing plan development, several focus groups were held to gain insight into a variety of patrons of outdoor-lifestyle stores. These focus groups provided useful insight into the decisions, and decision making processes, of consumers. An additional source of market research that is dynamic is a feedback mechanism based on a suggestion card system in store. The last source of market research is competitive analysis/appreciation. BBQfun management will continually visit local outdoor-lifestyle stores for two reasons. The first is for competitive analysis, providing BBQfun with timely information regarding other store’s service offering. The second reason is that local business owners, are often part of an informal fraternal organization where they support each other’s business. Financials, Budgets, and Forecasts This section will offer a financial overview of BBQfun as it relates to the marketing activities. BBQfun will address Break-even Analysis, sales forecasts, expense forecasts, and how those link to the marketing strategy. Break-even Analysis The Break-even Analysis indicates that $1.1 million in sales per year will be needed to reach the break-even point. Fixed costs are estimated at $150,000. Variable costs are 40% of sales, therefore sales of $1.0 million will be sufficient to pay for the fixed and variable cost. Sales Forecast The first year of the plan will be used to get the cafe up and running. By year two things will get busier. Sales will gradually increase with profitability being reached by the beginning of year two. Gross profit is  anticipated at 50%. Ongoing sales forecasting will be to use the services of Cannon’s Consultants who will advise on all aspects of the marketing function that BBQfun will be engaged with. Cannons will also be given access to the marketing cost data so that they can periodically examine and validate marketing costs in line with industry benchmarks. They have always been the preferred consultants because they are locally based unlike the national group of consultants, Brown & Holingsworth, based in Melbourne.

Effect of Playing Computer Games among Pupils Essay

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Today computer games have become a popular source of entertainment especially to the younger generation. Computer games are even now having their own worldwide professional gaming league. This has proved that nowadays the society worldwide has accepted computer games seriously. The popularity of computer games has also inspired numerous researches being conducted to study its elements and the various effects of playing computer games. The term computer game is in sharp competition with video games, console games, and arcade games. Video games and console games usually mean games connected to a TV, whereas arcade games means games placed in public spaces. Computer games on the other hand, are occasionally used to mean games played on a personal computer (PC). However, since all of these areas have been developed in close parallel and because all of these games are played on computers, most researchers use the term computer game to represent all of these areas as a whole. Computer games first came into existence in the 1960s with the introduction of a shoot-up game called Spacewar!. Since then,  computer games have become a regular part of life for many people due to its increased popularity. The computer game has changed from being primarily played at an arcade to be primarily played in the home. According to Carr et al. (2006), the computer game is one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving media of our time. Evidence can be seen from the Internet where online games are one of the fastest growing areas. Computer games are also no longer just for kids. Today, the majority of players are adults who are attracted to the increasingly sophisticated and complexities of the games. Whether the players are kids, or teenagers, or mature adults, whether they are casual garners or hardcore garners, researchers admit that computer games can be addictive. However, there are also claims that playing these computer games contribute to thinking. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study determines to know the Effects of Playing Computer Games among Grade IV Pupils in Sultan Naga Dimaporo Integrated School on their Academic Performance. Specially, it sought to answer the following questions: 1. What are the respondents profile in terms of: 1.1 Age 1.2 Gender 1.3 Religion 1.4 Grade / Year Level 1.5 Academic Performance 2. What are the effects of playing computer games among respondents on their academic performance? 3. What implication may be drawn from the findings of the study? OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The main objective of the study is to determine the Effects of Playing Computer Games among Grade IV Pupils in Sultan Naga Dimaporo Integrated School on their Academic Performance. This study intended to: 1. study the effects of playing computer games among Grade IV Pupils in Sultan Naga Dimaporo Integrated School on their Academic Performance; 2. discover what are the games that the respondents loved to play; and 3. analyze data  collected from the questionnaire using statistical method to devise conclusions. SCOPE AND LIMITATION This study focuses on the Effects of Playing Computer Games among Grade IV Pupils in Sultan Naga Dimaporo Integrated School on their Academic Performance. This study limits to the structured survey questionnaires to obtain the respondent’s profile distribution in terms of their age, gender, religion, grade / year level, and academic performance, the effect of computer games on the academic performance of respondents, and the implication maybe drawn from the findings of the study. The study concerns only to Grade – IV Pupils who are officially enrolled in Sultan Naga Dimaporo Integrated School. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This study will serve as a guide for those who are concern with the academic performance of their children. Computer Games become popular because of an unusual ability or quality. It is undeniable that these games reached at home, schools and especially in businesses of many people not only in the Philippines but around the world. In Malaysia, computer games has had a deep act of going through among university students because of being part of the campus community, the students have better access to computers either on or off campus. These study findings can become a source of reference to stakeholders in elementary and the pupils about computer games. Through this study, the researcher will be able to collect data and obtain information that contributes to the understanding of how computer games affect the academic performance of respondents. When the effects are made clear, elementary teachers will be able to devise a more effective teaching and learning approach. Questions on whether computer games among pupils must be encouraged or should lectures/tutorials incorporate computer games to make learning more fun can then be answered. THEORITICAL CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK In this study, several theories have been forwarded and considered to give credibility to the study. Children who play video games for up to an hour a day are happier, more sociable and less hyperactive than those who don’t play at all, research has found. Despite widespread fears that video game usage is harmful, an Oxford University study of boys and girls aged between 10 and 15 found that playing for up to sixty minutes a day could actually be beneficial. â€Å"Young people who indulged in a little video game-playing were associated with being better adjusted than those who had never played or those who were on video games for three hours or more,† it concluded. â€Å"Those who played video games for less than an hour†¦ were associated with the highest levels of sociability and were most likely to say they were satisfied with their lives. They also appeared to have fewer friendship and emotional problems, and reported less hyperactivity than the other groups.† ( Gosden, Emily 2014) Computer games are defined as interactive entertainment software played on various platforms such as personal computers, game consoles and handheld devices (Teh, Ismail, & Toh, 2007). As defined by (Dempsey, Lucassen, Haynes, & Casey, 1997), â€Å"A game is a set of activities involving one or more players which has goals, constraints and consequences. A game is rule-guided and artificial in some respect. A game also involves some aspects of a contest or a trial of skill or ability, even if the contest is with oneself’. There are four common factors that lie in games which are representation, interaction, conflict and safety. When a computer is used to present the game and to act as an opponent or as a referee, then it is a computer game (Crawford, 1984). Computer games have some advantages that make them more popular than traditional games. First, they attract people by creating the illusion of being immersed in an imaginative virtual world with computer graphics and sound (Amory, Naicker, Vincent, & Adam, 1999). Second, the goals of computer games are typically more interactive than that of traditional games, which brings players a stronger desire to win the game. Third, computer games usually designed with an optimal level of information complexity, can easily provoke players’ curiosity. Consequently, computer games intrinsically motivate players by bringing them more fantasy, challenge, and curiosity, which are the three main elements contributing the fun in games (Malone, 1981). CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Figure 1 presented the Schematic Diagram. The variables considered are the  respondents’ age, gender, religion, grade / year level and academic performance. Spending more times playing computer games may affect the academic performance of pupils. Investigation on the academic performance of respondents would lead to making implications and recommendations on the effects of playing computer. Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Conceptual Framework of the Study

Film analysis Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Film analysis - Movie Review Example Only a few religious groups and NGOs in the world lifted a finger to end the violent deaths. This fact alone made Hotel Rwanda a significant movie (Gillespie, 2004). Discussion The origin of the 1994 conflict was the assassination of Rwanda’s Hutu president; Juvenal Habyarimana. The Hutus claimed that it was the Tutsi who shot the president’s jet from the sky. Immediately, the militia and the Hutu army systematically started butchering the minority Tutsi. Following the Hutu extremists massacring the Tutsi population, Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, who was also a Hutu helped save the lives of his family and friends and those of over a thousand refugees. Paul gathered his neighbors and family into their cars and took off to the hotel. He put his own life at risk for the next hundred days by protecting not only his children and wife but also other refugees who were of the Tutsi descents and a genocide mark. Throughout this period, Paul bribed several senior Hutu army functionaries with gifts and money, bluffed and blackmailed them in order to have his hotel protected (Gillespie, 2004). According to this movie, outsiders did not mediate, just because Rwandans were Africans. Racism contributed to outsider’s hesitance to become involved. ... The message is that never again shall this be allowed to take place in Rwanda or any other part of the world. As much as no one would want to experience such an ordeal for a second time, it would be utter naivety to assume that such barbarity is not likely to happen again somewhere in the world (Gillespie, 2004). Hotel Rwanda goes further to show that even in the middle of this crisis and brutality, some people have a heart, and they still care. This is another significant part of this film. Paul Rusesabagina was one of the few people who indeed cared. Paul was the manager of a four-star establishment in Kigali, The Hotel Des Milles Collines (Gillespie, 2004). The man struggled to save people’s lives, and he took too many risks. Paul Rusesabagina is the film’s hero and a favorite character for many viewers. The relationship between Paul and his wife kept the movie grounded. In the beginning of the film, Paul’s intentions were far from selfless. He was more concer ned with grooming favor with the powerful people than helping his fellow man. However, when the massacring began, he did not blink to offer his help. He used his associations with the people in power to protect Hutu and Tutsi refugees. Paul eventually sheltered approximately 1,286 refugees in his hotel. This was such an extraordinary feat by Paul. He made it possible mainly because of his wit, bravery influence, and intelligence (Gillespie, 2004) The envenomed UN colonel was another heroic figure in this movie. His duty was to watch the massacre without intervening. Other heroic figures were a Red Cross worker who was forced to watch the children she was trying to rescue being put to death, a lot of anonymous Catholic nuns and priests, and a young news

Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Research Proposal - Essay Example Due to such rapid increment, anti-fraud and risk management organizations are putting efforts to prevent the unethical practice that has now become a usual notion in financial sectors. Although risk management focuses more on insurance organizations; however, occupational fraud is one of the other significant aspect that has become a major concern for the risk management specialists. For such purpose, the proposed research will endeavor to recognize and analyze different aspects of occupational frauds while focusing on the factors in financial computing that enable individuals to commit frauds. Besides identification of thesis statement, it is very imperative for a researcher to set aims and objectives that play a significant role in planning an efficient research study while evading any chances of exploitation of resources. In this regard, research anticipates that findings of the proposed study will offer a critical analysis of different factors that create an environment that facilitates individuals in carrying out fraud activities in the organizations. Moreover, the proposed research will attempt to identify the role of technology, and specifically, financial computing in the provision of opportunities of occupational frauds in the financial sector. For such purpose, the researcher will put efforts to identify flaws in the financial sector that will enable the creation of preventive measures for such flaws. Thus, it is anticipation that completion of the proposed research will provide a comprehensive opportunities to the experts associated with risk management in analyzing situations from a broad perspective, rather than a limited perspective of typical occupational fraud. Furthermore, one of the other significant objectives of this research is to acquire realistic and ground-reality findings that will be beneficial and applicable for