It has been argued that end-user development has been driven by a Essay

It has been argued that end-user development has been driven by a failure of central information systems departments to develop - Essay Example These nonprofessional software developers would be using new writing formulas, queries, databases and spreadsheets to help them in their work. Another research in 2011 foretold the possibility of nonprofessional developers having created twenty five percent business applications by the end of 2014. As for a fact, the number of computer users has increased, and so has the uses for which they need computers. The software needs of these increasing number of computer users are dynamic, complex and diverse. Professional software developers’ limited knowledge and slow development process hamper their capacity to beat the ever-growing applications backlog. This sparked a desire in computer users to look for ways of modifying, creating and extending software artifact on their own without involving professional software developers. This is what end-user development (EUD) is about (Barrie 2002, p.31). Using end-user development, computer users customize or come up with their own unique interfaces and functionality for their software. An advantage with this is the fact that end users have adequate knowledge of the contexts, needs and change in their individual domains. Besides, allowing end-users to tune software to meet required needs, end-user development has another advantage. Clearly, end-users outnumber professional software developers by far. ... Many end-users who engage in end-user development lack sufficient training in professional programming languages, modeling, diagramming notations, and formal processes of software development (Clarker 2008, p.71). Their short-term and medium-term goals do not give them enough motivation to learn this traditional knowledge. This poses several challenges to those devoted to the course of supporting the end-user development. End-users need to develop processes that have ease of use, easy to learn, and that allows easy integration into end-users’ individual domains. End-user development goes hand in hand with tailoring, end-user software engineering, and end-user programming. An end-user who modifies a computer application to suit his or her contextual need does tailoring. Tailoring allows users to change their interaction with an application together with its functionality. This entails changing the behavior of an application by resetting the parameters of an application so as to change the level of detail of its set of data. Tailoring encompasses end-user programming when an individual manipulates an application so much so as to come up with a complete program (Mahmood 2003, p.43). For example, a person can come up with macros that can help him or her to change set graphical user interface items borne in an application. This can serve to either increase the usability of an application or extend it to have new functionalities. There is research that demonstrates the possibility of frameworks that are component-based, and that would allow easy application tailoring. Professional programming seeks to come up with programs and sell them out to people. End-user programming, on the other hand, seeks to create programs to satisfy the developers’ needs. End-user

Interview Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interview Analysis - Essay Example In some instances, the teacher encountered difficulties training children who were blind since only a minimal number of languages are in Braille. At such times, the teachers were forced to seek the services of Braille translators who, in turn, used computers. However, technological advancements have significantly reduced this problem since technology affords ELLs suffering from diverse disabilities the opportunity to learn at a similar pace as those without disabilities. From the interview, it became quite clear that ELL students’ learning capabilities are profoundly impacted by their cultural backgrounds. This is primarily because the cultural worlds in which culturally diverse students live encourage different attitudes, beliefs and emphasize diverse learning skills. As a consequence of this diversity, the impact on the learning abilities of ELLs is rather massive. A vast majority of schools often fail to pay close attention to the differences between children, for instance, their beliefs, traditional practices and experiences, and this, in turn, proves detrimental to the students’ abilities to learn since it reduces the teachers’ capabilities to teach them effectively (Shatz & Wikinson, 2011). ... This is primarily because technology has the distinct capacity to ease the process of educating disabled ELLs and make it easy for them to benefit from the technology, particularly in terms of understanding lesson content and facilitating effective assessment. The school, in this case, makes use of a number of procedures and policies, which have proven to be effectual in terms of teaching ELLs. The school typically begins by identifying students who fit the ELL threshold. After identification, the school’s policy requires teachers to assess such students, taking into consideration both their preferential language and English language proficiency. In essence, the school conforms to standard strategies for the identification and assessment of ELLs (Shatz & Wikinson, 2011). In addition, the school makes use of language assessments regarding both the students’ English and preferred languages to ascertain the students’ individual abilities, as well as development in a ll relevant areas of learning such as reading, listening, writing and speaking (Shatz & Wikinson, 2011). However, in order to supplement information acquired from these assessments, schools and teachers typically seek information from bilingual clinicians, parents and guardians and bilingual and ESL teachers, as well as other education stakeholders who provide sociocultural information, as well as academic test data. This information is of critical importance to the education of ELL since it enables teachers appreciate the students’ strongest and weakest points and tailor instruction to maximize learning effectiveness. Notably, a vast majority of ELLs present similar challenges in terms of their learning abilities. Teachers encounter

Article Critique Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Article Critique - Assignment Example and research shows that while many adjust appropriately, other face difficulties trying to adjust.The adjustment difficulties in sibling have been associated with poor parent functioning and problem solving technique, weak family cohesion, and family conflicts. The method in which information is obtained has received mixed emotions and critics view that previous research were conducted in an appropriate manner in that sibling adjustment was studied without including the whole family perspective. This is to say that most children who exhibit difficulties in coping, are actually influenced by the family relationship as a whole. For instance, the level of stress parents have because of the coping problem tend to translate to other siblings and they show inability to adjust with their other brothers and sisters. Stress may arise from other sectors of the family life and may not always be related to the challenged child. Having redesigned the technique for research, the present study was aimed at examining the relationship between sibling adjustments, family stress and coping problems. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was employed to point out various strength-based family factors associated with appropriate adjustment outcomes for those families with stressful situations. The role of family communication was a significant factor in influencing sibling adjustment as well as relating sibling adjustment and factors including socio-demographic, parent characteristics and disability were of a particular interest. The nature of sibling experience within the family was of importance and a central part of the study. It was also aimed at analyzing the relationship between the adjustment of siblings and how they view daily hassles and uplifts especially related to the disabled child. It is good to note that the coping technique that sibling employ in coping with their disabled brother or sister, determines to a large extent their psychological

NURSING ASSIGNMENT Continuing care - Incontinence Essay

NURSING ASSIGNMENT Continuing care - Incontinence - Essay Example It shall analyse how care was planned and delivered in order to meet the identified continuing needs in relation to evidence gathered from literature. It shall then reflect on the outcomes of care delivery for the continuing care needs identified. The patient, for this paper, shall be referred to with the pseudonym John Wilson. He is 82 years and was admitted into the Accidents and Emergency Unit after suffering a fall. He was later transferred to the medical ward to help him recover from his fall. He had a previous history of prostatectomy and was having problems with incontinence. He showed early signs of dementia, which however did not interfere with the nurse’s communication with the patient. The patient’s wife Barbara also assisted in answering questions about the patient. He lives with his wife and is often visited by his daughter and son-in-law. He needs continuing care because his mobility is compromised and cannot easily make it to and from the bathroom to relieve himself during urinary urgencies. He needs continuing care in order to help manage his urination, in order to prevent him from withdrawing from society, and eventually to keep him from being depressed. The continuing needs of the patient were assessed by the nurse and the other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT). The nurse and the members of the multidisciplinary team (physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and the attending physician) assessed his risk for experiencing another fall. His previous fall broke his right hip; and he underwent hip replacement surgery soon after. He is now undergoing physical and rehabilitative therapy in order to gradually regain his mobility. He could get himself independently out of bed, but he has to use a walker in order to move about. He also needs assistance with his activities of daily living, but he is slowly gaining independence in carrying out these activities. With therapy and rehabilitation, he is slowly

Strategy enter mode Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategy enter mode - Essay Example However, failures in regard to these plans cannot be avoided, especially if the enter mode chosen is inappropriate for the target market involved. The entry in a foreign market can be a risky initiative, especially when the global market is not stable. However, choosing an appropriate enter mode can help to reduce the risks involved in such plans. The enter modes available to firms that aim to enter a foreign market are discussed in this paper. The literature developed in this field has been reviewed so that all aspects of this study’s subject are adequately explained. Moreover, five studies have been selected and are presented separately for highlighting important points of the issues under discussion. It is proved that a variety of entry modes is available to firms that wish to internationalize their activities. Still, not all these modes can be equally effective; indeed, the risks involved in the target market can be many. It should be also noted that the benefits from entering a foreign market may not be clear in the short term. For this reason, a firm trying to expand its operations globally should have alternative strategies available in case that the enter mode initially chosen is proved faulty. When trying to enter a foreign market, a variety of criteria is used in order to decide which enter mode is most appropriate. The resources available for supporting this project can highly influence the relevant decision (Levi 2006). On the other hand, the experience acquired through similar initiatives in the past can help a firm to choose an appropriate strategy for entering a foreign market (Levi 2006). In addition, when trying to entering a foreign market a firm is expected to face a variety of forces (Albaum and Duerr 2008). Managing these forces can be extremely difficult depending on the firm’s market position and its objectives (Albaum and Duerr 2008). For this reason, a firm

Valuation of AirThread Connections Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Valuation of AirThread Connections - Assignment Example The biggest assumption which is taken for this scenario is the steady as well as lower cost pattern especially in terms of recurring cost of people and supervisor which is estimated to be $20,000 per year for the next years. On the other hand, the estimated benefits of to be derived from this project in next five years are also another contributing factor in arriving such huge NPV such that increased profits amounts to around $160,000 per year over the next five years. In this way, this project would successfully achieve the positive NPV of $257,065. The second scenario is referred to as the neutral strategy such that in this particular scenario, the final figure of NPV would be zero as the cost of capital of the project (discount rate) would be exactly equal to the Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The other assumptions of this strategy are the same however there are few changes as well. The major change in the assumptions of this scenario is that the software cost of the project has been reduced from $175,000 to around $118,128. The other major changes include the increase in the recurring cost of people and supervisor which has been increased from $20,000 to $50,000 and $40,000 in first and second year respectively and kept constant at $30,000 each year for the next three years of the project. The other major change is the decrease in the amount of profits such that profits are assumed to be reduced from $160,000 to $40,000 and $60,000 in first and second year respectively whereas it is kept constant at $80,000 per year for the rest of the project life. In this way, the cash outflows are exactly equal to the project cash inflows, thereby generating nil NPV for the project which indicates a breakeven position of the project. The defensive strategy is developed to highlight the negative consequences and effects of cash flows upon the project. All the assumptions

Organizing Function of Management Essay Example for Free

Organizing Function of Management Essay The purpose of this paper will be to evaluate the organizing function of management. The organizing function of management develops internal organizational structure. A key role of the organizing function is to address how people interact in various business environments. Management uses organizing activities to allocate resources, define responsibility, establish expectations, and group employees. â€Å"At high-tech firms such as Google that rely on employee skills, knowledge, and creativity to remain competitive, the importance of people is evident as well† (Bate Snell, 1, 2009). Human Resources Management at Google Human resources management is a formal system used to manage people in a business environment (Bate Snell, 2009). Human capital is a source of competitive advantage that is irreplaceable. According to Bate Snell, â€Å"human resource planning occurs in three stages: planning, programming, and evaluating† (2009). Perfecting the art of human resources management can provide strategic value to organizational performance. The Google Company has secured its place as one of the world’s leading employers. Goggles strategy for effective human resources management is providing employees with unparalleled benefits, perks, and opportunities. Lazlo Bock, Google’s vice president of people operations states freedom, curiosity and highly trained employees has forged Google’s success (HR Focus, 2008). Planning requires Google to forecast future job trends based market fluctuations and company growth. In 2005, Google was hiring about â€Å"10 people a day, adding to a workforce of more than 5,000† (Lohr, 2005). Currently, Google employs approximately 20, 000 people with various backgrounds and skills. Closely monitoring economic trends and labor supply forecast allows the company to manage all available resources. The following rules of engagement with employees, outline by Lazlo Bock, have contributed to Goggles effective human resources management. * Hire learners. They are inquisitive, and when they fail, they will ask how they can do better. * Give people the tools and resources to succeed; then let them. * Work on small projects in small teams. * Keep structures flat. Especially as the company gets big, information needs to flow up. * Discuss everything you can publicly. * Give performance-driven raises. This is helpful in controlling turnover and enhancing retention. * Reward success, dont penalize failure. If you dont fail, youre not doing your job well. Quarterly goals are set and performance evaluations are based on these; the company aims for a 70% success rate. Technology at Google Google was founded on the principle of â€Å"organizing the worlds information and make it universally accessible and useful† (Google, 2009). The company original began as a search engine provider. The company quickly expanded products and services to include software, e-mail service, advertising platforms, desktop products, mobile devices, and mapping tools. Google’s list of services and products are too extensive and increasingly expanding. Google’s success can be attribute to the company’s’ expansion of technological services. Google recent advancement has been the development of a new operating system, Chrome, designed to rival its biggest competitors. â€Å"Unlike Windows, Chrome OS is an open-source project like the Linux operating system thats popular with techies, which means outside software developers are welcome to work on it† (Graham, 7, 2009). The release of Chrome OS as a free open source operating system creates competition with Microsoft’s Windows. Google Assets Google’s ability to control the search engine markets has allowed the company to prosper from advertising campaigns. According to Schonfeld, â€Å"of the 137 billion estimated total searches performed in the U.S. last year, 85 billion were done on Google; nearly 90 percent of all the growth in search volume was also captured by Google (2008). Googles profits should spike as the country climbs out of recession â€Å"because the company has weeded out a lot of frivolous expenses during the recession† (Liedtke Girard, 2009). Google went public at $85 dollars a share 2004; current estimates place Google shares at $430 a share (Liedtke Girard, 2009). The statistics indicated that Google has effectively organized companies assets during difficult economic time. Conclusion  Human resources management and technology play a crucial in business success. Google has perfected work environments that keep employees happy and provides the necessary resources to remain competitive as a company. â€Å"David MacDonald, who joined Google as an account manager in October 2001, says, It wasnt groundbreaking search engines had been around for years but it had a different approach and was all about the people (Smith, 6, 2008). Google remains one of the world’s leading companies engrossed in the technological revolution. Much of the organizations success arises from Google’s ability to venture into multiple applications. Google refuses to rely on the company’s search engine capabilities to sustain growth. The ability to adapt to economic demands and competition has facilitated Google’s organizational structure.