Factors that Influence Literacy Acquisition and Reading Achievement

Abstract Literacy acquisition and learning among young children is an important part of child development milestones. However, the rates at which children acquire literacy vary significantly depending on whether such learning is offered at home or at school for the first time.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors that Influence Literacy Acquisition and Reading Achievement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Although environmental factors can influence learning, parents and close family members play the greatest role in a child’s literacy acquisition. Various researches have established that parent-child interactions encourage children to master language cues early in life, thus contributing significantly to subsequent learning ability during formal education. This paper will discuss how the interaction between children and parents influences literacy acquisition during pre-school years and later in life. M oreover, the paper will highlight some alternative factors that contribute to literacy acquisition, including environment and community in which a child grows. Finally, the paper will highlight some contrary arguments that tend to downplay the role of parents in children’s learning at home and at school. How do parent-child interactions support children’s acquisition before formal school? Literacy acquisition starts early in life and it is highly influenced by the interaction between children and immediate family, especially parents. The extent of exposure to language and literacy is usually a significant contributor to achievements at school. When an ideal learning environment is created, it is likely to enhance learning and reading ability. Factors that may predict success in reading and accomplishment in school include verbal language, coding of alphabets and mastery of print.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your fir st paper with 15% OFF Learn More This success also requires setting clear standards to monitor the outcome, as well as developing relevant curriculum and teaching preparedness to factor the needs of early learners (Strickland Riley-Ayers, 2006). Effective provision of pre-school education study shows the importance of caregivers’ role in learning needs of children, which are influenced by their socio-economic status; this has an effect on development of language and literacy, as it expands children’s minds (Stone, Silliman, Ehren, Apel, 2006). When parents take an active role in determining a child’s literacy acquisition, there is likelihood of a greater success, since most of learning takes place before the formal schooling begins (Verhoeven Snow, 2001). Zygouris-Coe (2001) points to the need of literacy intervention in the early years of life. This is further supported by findings of other literature on behavior, which point to the diversity and the role of parents in language acquisition. Evidence shows that the mother-child bond created every year would enhance communication skills. This is likely to be shaped by the home environment that babies and toddlers are exposed to during their first two years, thus influencing their performance when they start formal schooling. This environment is influenced by social factors within the family. Nevertheless, families that are not financially endowed are likely to have minimum opportunities for language advancement. Therefore, the report recommends the need for recognizing the influence of home and communication environment in shaping acquisition of language and literacy (Hamer, 2012).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors that Influence Literacy Acquisition and Reading Achievement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The first and the second language mastery requires an interactive environment that supports langua ge development. This will depend on the frequency of parents’ communication with children, which plays a vital role in expansion of language acquisition. Therefore, children should be given a chance to communicate their needs and interact freely at all times. Nevertheless, pre-school learning should help in shaping the experience of knowledge in real life situations. Gains in early literacy are closely linked to children learning from their association with family members. The relationship formed becomes the basis for deciphering meaning from activities learnt during pre-school years. Children would always want to interact with the rest of the family by communicating their interests (Lynch, 2007). Moreover, evidence shows that good reading skills are developed by constructing facts that are related to learners’ experience at home. When difficulties are encountered in the course of learning, they are likely to contribute to reading deficiency. Indeed, learning at school tends to follow from child’s early experiences before entering the formal schooling. Children who had memorable learning experiences from early years are known to have a good grasp of vocabularies, thus demonstrating that early reading experiences shape the success of children in reading. Nevertheless, there are arguments that when efforts are not made to engage children early in life, they might be at risk of reading problems (Lylon, 2000).Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Verhoeven Snow (2001), students’ abilities to read depend on the extent of parents’ involvement during pre-school ages. When this collaboration is delayed, children are unlikely to gain benefits anymore. The authors recommend parents to exercise attention in children during initial years of language acquisition with the view of promoting competency in reading. Moreover, there is need to recognize the role that outside learning plays in aiding reading development. Efforts should be made to reinforce verbal cues and recognize finer details that help communication to influence the outcome of learning (Manzo, Manzo, Albee, 2003). In addition, children should be helped to make connection between what they learn in class and other textual information learnt in early years. Children need a conducive learning environment that suits different kinds of their needs. Measures that promote learning at home may be important in determining risks that learners may face. For instance, a shallow background may play a role in hindering learning so that children who are not exposed to print work may face difficulty in reading printed materials. The environment in which learning takes place influences literacy acquisition, especially when learning aids are available and accessible. All in all, families and environment play a crucial role in helping children to acquire skills that help them in early education (Douglas, 2010). Communities also tend to promote learning by adopting certain measures such as promoting collaboration between schools, society, and families through volunteering and mentorship (Spedding, Harkins, Makin, Whiteman, 2007). They also encourage language support development for underprivileged families to aid in literacy development. Other measures include policy issues to promote development of early childhood education targeting population of children who are disadvantaged to acquire reading skills by fostering an enabling learning environment. Research in learning needs of pre-scholars is important in order to establish different knowledge and skills requirements; this would subsequently promote conceptual learning that enhances mastery of vocabulary and comprehension. In conclusion, parents and families play a great role in promoting language acquisition among children before they join formal education. The relationship between parents and children creates an enabling environment for children to master vocabulary of their native and the second language. However, the environment which the child is exposed to plays a role in literacy acquisition. Therefore, it is important to ensure the right learning aids are present, in addition to enhancing community interaction to facilitate learning process. References Douglas, E. (2010). Innovations in Child and Family Policy: Multidisciplinary Research and Perspectives on Strengthening Children and Their Families. Plymouth, England: Lexington Books. Hamer, C. (2012). NC T Research overview: Parent-child communication is important from birth. Web. Lylon, G. (2000). Why some children have difficulties learning to Read. Web. Lynch, J. (2007). Learning about Literacy: Social factors and reading Acquisition. Web. Manzo, A., Manzo, U., Albee, J. (2003). Reading Assessment for Diagnostic-Prescriptive Teaching. NY, USA: WADSWORTH Incorporated FULFILLMENT. Spedding, S., Harkins, J., Makin, L., Whiteman, P. (2007). Investigating early Literacy learning in family and Community centre. Adelaide, SA: Office of Early Childhood and Statewide Services. Stone, C., Silliman, E., Ehren, B., Apel, K. (2006). Handbook of Language and Literacy: Development and Disorders. NY, USA: Guilford Press. Strickland, D., Riley-Ayers, S. (2006). Early Literacy: Policy and Practice in the preschool Years. Web. Verhoeven, L., Snow, C. (2001). Literacy and Motivation: Reading Engagement in Individuals and Groups. London, England: Routledge. Zygouris-Coe, V. (2001). Emergent Lite racy. Florida Literacy and Reading Excellence (flare) Centre. Web. This essay on Factors that Influence Literacy Acquisition and Reading Achievement was written and submitted by user Leonard Nash to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Meg

The Meg Summary:This novel is basically about Jonas Taylor who theorizes that the Megalodon may still terrorize the deep seas of the Mariana Trench. Jonas discovered this might be true after his last dive. The real scary part is that now this beast has arisen from the hadal zone and is terrorizing humanity.Geographic ApplicationThis book talks about the geographical distribution of marine species and how it is controlled by the oceans temperature. Also talks about the interaction between humans and the Meg, the structure, environment and the way the Carcharodon Megalodon had survived.Jonas Taylor, a paleontologist, former Argonaut, bases his theories on a dive that took place seven years ago in the Mariana Trench causing two deaths of his fellow divers, he still believes that he saw the Meg that day. He theorizes that this great predator may still exist in a 1,550 mile isolated stretch, 7 miles down.Jonas JegersAgainst other scientists, his theory is that they even survived the ice age about two-million years ago not just the climatic changes that killed off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. He believes that the Meg survived due to the tropical current occurring in the Pacific and due to the hydrothermical vents which also made it possible for new life forms to live there. But if the Meg did exist, then, it wouldn't be able to get to surface because of 6 miles of icy water above the warmer layer at the bottom, even if it is sixty-feet long, this predator wouldn't be able to swim fast enough to reach the surface warmer layers. His theories can be backed up by recent discoveries in 1873 by the first exploration vessel the British HMS Challenger which dived down to the deep-sea trench and discovered a fossilized nine-inch, razor sharp...

Creation of a paper on how you would research a business sector and Assignment

Creation of a paper on how you would research a business sector and how you would structure a project report - Assignment Example ournemouth, Solar Simple Ltd in Worcester, Rain Wind Sun in Swindon, Green and Co Renewables in Rushden, Solar Power UK Ltd in Braintree, Impact Renewables in Leeds and numerous others scattered all over the United Kingdom’s geography. (UK Renewable Energy Companies, 2012). These companies provide energy solutions to replace conventional energy forms, solar , nuclear and wind energy being a popular choices due to convenience. The Government has also taken an active interest in this sector due to gravity of the environmental threats currently facing the planet and thus the Government has committed itself to help businesses in this sector develop successfully. Their goal for 2020 is to achieve 15% of their total energy from renewable resources. Another reason why the Government is especially interested in the development of this sector is because it has generated great interest from foreign investors. In additional to the investment that this will bring into the UK, it will create a multitude of job opportunities. The UK however needs to improve its infrastructure to be able to deal with and reap the benefits of this investment. (The UK Renewable Energy Sectors, 2012). Research has shown that the UK will be able to reduce almost $17 billion of its per annum energy costs if it sticks to its renewable energy plan. Soon the Government will introduce a bill that will detail the fine print of this energy saving plan. (Hussain, 2012). It becomes quite clear that due to the immense foreign investment and jobs this sector is generating, it has a large scope in the business world. The size of the sector is also expected to grow into the foreseeable future as demand for alternative energy forms increase in the face of depleting resources of conventional energy forms and a growing awareness of the damage they have caused to the earth and its environment and how usage of clean, renewable energy is better for the planet and its people. Carbon emissions are expected to

Efficient Xml (extensible Markup Language) and AJAX Essay

Efficient Xml (extensible Markup Language) and AJAX - Essay Example n be used all the way through the organizations, allowing the description, communication, corroboration, and interpretation of data among applications and between organizations. XML has also verified its usefulness for connecting inherited information to the Web, for the reason that the XML tags are utilized to describe data as it is configured in the legacy data lay up, therefore eradicating the necessity to reconfigure it. XML is quickly turning out to be a standard for e-commerce content. While HTML, documents oversee the demonstration of data and information in a Web browser, XML deals with the configuration and handling of the data engaged. Consequently, XML makes it feasible to store data objects that are constantly established all the way through the businesses, and XML is turning out to be the standard for e-commerce data exchange. XML is not substitute for HTML; however it performs its job with HTML to assist the transmission, exchange, and handling of data. Therefore, all c ategories of content can be arranged by means of XML, such as images files and sound files. Data that need to be distributed outside the organization should stick to widely defined XML framework. On the other hand, inside data should be defined particularly in XML (Hoffer, Prescott, & McFadden, 2007) and (Hoffer, Prescott, & McFadden, 2007, pp. 399-400).The trend of using XML as a constant storage arrangement is becoming more and more widespread for the configuration of data and information, as a transitional database layout, as well as for semantic annotation (MSDN, 2007). The procedure of standardization is itself an enormously complicated one. If one planed a standard too soon, the standard does not regard as sufficient information and is consequently not assumed. If the standard is planned excessively late, as well a lot of people will have assumed their own methods, and the standard will be unnoticed. A number of instances of standards that came too soon or too behind include,

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna *Satgur Singh, **Er. Mandeep kaur Abstract  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  The Demand of Mobile Communication systems is increasing day by day. New concepts and methods are necessary which required the need for new Technologies to satisfy the demand of this world of network. Smart Antenna system is one of those, which reduces the co-channel interference and maximize the user capacity of communication system, By shaping and locating the beam of the antenna on the mobile or the target thus decreasing interference to other users. The Main purpose of smart antenna system is the selection of smart algorithms for adaptive array. By using beam forming algorithms the weight of antenna arrays can be adjusted to form certain amount of adaptive beam to track corresponding users automatically and to minimize interference arising from other users by introducing nulls in their directions. Thus interferences can be suppressed and the desired signals can be extracted. Many algorithms are introduced due to advancement in technology. Every algorithms has different convergence characteristics and complexity of algorithm, according to our need we use particular algorithm in communication system. Keywords — Smart Antenna, LMS (Least mean square), RLS (Recursive least square), NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square), Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI), Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA), VSSNLMS (Variable step size NLMS). I. INTRODUCTION: Conventional base station antennas in existing communication systems are either Omni directional or sectorised. There is waste of resources since the majority of transmitted signal power radiates in directions other than the desired user directions and signal power radiated through the Cell area will be interference by any other user than the desired one. Signal power radiated throughout the cell area will increase interference and reduce SNR. Although sector antenna decreases the interference by dividing entire cell into sector, But some levels of interface still exist. To overcome the above problem of the communication system the Smart antenna introduced. Smart Antenna system combines an antenna array with a digital signal-processing capability to transmit and receive in an adaptive manner. Such a configuration technically enhances the capacity of a wireless link through a combination of diversity gain, array gain and interference reduction. Increased capacity translates to higher data rates for a given number of users or more users for a given data rate per user. In other manner, the system which can automatically change the directionality of its radiation patterns in response to its signal environment. By this manner, increase the performance characteristics (such as capacity) of a wireless system. All elements of the Fig 1: Block Diagram of Smart Antenna System adaptive antenna array have to be combined in order to adapt to the current channel and user. A Smart antenna is therefore a phased or adaptive array that adjusts to the environment that is, for the adaptive array, the beam pattern changes as the desired user and the interference move and for the phased array the beam is steered or different beams is selected as the desired user moves. This weight adaptation is the â€Å"smart† part of the smart antenna system. It is possible to investigate a wide range of beam forming algorithms without the need to modify the system hardware for every algorithm. For this, now we are focusing on improving the performance of the beam forming algorithms rather than on designing new hardware, which is very expensive and time consumption. There are many algorithms for beamforming concept ,Every algorithm has its own merits and demerits ,according to our need we use that algorithm which satisfies our need,which are given below:- II) BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUES:- A) Least Mean Square Algorithm: This algorithm was first developed by Widrow and Hoff in 1960. Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[ ] proposed that LMS is a gradient based technique where in a quadratic performance surface is assumed. The performance surface that is cost function can be established by finding the Mean Square Error (MSE). The cost function is a quadratic function of the weight vector w. The minimum of the performance surface is reached when the MSE tends to its minimum value this is made possible by finding out the gradient of MSE with respect to weight vectors equating it to zero. The Weights of adaptive antenna are adjusted in the negative direction of the gradient to minimize the error. In LMS, the weights are updated using, w(k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k) whereas e(k) =d(k) – wH (k)x(k) ÃŽ ¼=Step size that determines the speed of convergence of LMS algorithm. The weights here will be computed using LMS algorithm based on Minimum Squared Error (MSE). y(n)=wH (n)x(n) e(n) =d(n) −y(n) w (k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k)†¦ step size ÃŽ ¼ is a positive real-valued constant which controls the size of the incremental correction applied to the weight vector as we proceed from one iteration cycle to the next. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed. The LMS algorithm is initiated with an arbitrary value W(0) for the weight vector at n= [1], [6], [23], [25]. For the weight vector is seen to converge and stay stable for 0max Whereas ÃŽ »max is the maximum eigen value of the matrix R. The Response of the LMS algorithm is determined by three principal factors step-size parameter, number of weights, and Eigen value of the correlation matrix of the input data vector. The LMS Algorithm has many drawbacks which are solved by other algorithm. B) Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI) Algorithm: T.B. LAVATE et al.(2010) [5]proposed that LMS algorithm is slow in convergence not suitable for mobile communication this drawback of LMS is eliminated by sample matrix inversion (SMI) method. The sample matrix is a time average estimate of the array co-relation matrix using K time samples. If the random process is ergodic in the co-relation the time average estimate will equal the actual co-relation matrix .If we use a K-length block of data we define the matrix Xk(k) as the kth block of x vectors ranging over K data snapshots, the time average estimate of array co-relation matrix is, R=XK(k) XKH (k)/K And the time average estimate of the co-relation vector is, r= d*(k) XK(k)/K†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The SMI weights for kth block of length K as WSMI = R-1r WSMI = [ XK(k) XKH H (k)]-1 d*(k) XK(k) From equation (4) it is seen that the weights of the antenna array will be updated for each incoming block of data. C) NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square) Algoritm: Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[4] proposed ,the Normalized least-mean-square (NLMS) algorithm, which is also known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Theoretically, LMS method is the most basic method for calculating the weight vectors. However, in practice, an improved LMS method, the Normalized-LMS (NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. The NLMS algorithm can be formulated as a natural modification of the LMS algorithm based on stochastic gradient algorithm Gradient noise amplification problem occurs in the standard form of LMS algorithm. This is because the product vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  e*à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  in Equation (11) at iteration, n applied to the weight vector wà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  is directly proportional to the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©. This can be solved by normalized the product vector at iteration n à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ «1 with the square Euclidean norm of the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  at iteration n. The final weight vector can be updated by, W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||x(n)2.x(n) e*(n) Where the NLMS algorithm reduces the step size ÃŽ ¼ to make the large changes in the update weight vectors.This prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. Equation ( ) represents the normalized version of LMS (NLMS), because step size is divided by the norm of the input signal to avoid gradient noise amplification due to x(n) [ ] Sometimes x(k) which is the Input signal becomes very small which may cause W(K + 1) to be unbounded. However, to avoid this situation; ÏÆ' which is a constant value is added to the denominator which made the NLMS algorithm be described as W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||ÏÆ' + x(n)2||.x(n) e*(n) we can conclude that NLMS has a better performance than LMS algorithm. D) Constant Modulus Algorithm Susmita Das [8]proposed that the configuration of CMA adaptive beamforming is the same as that of the Sample Matrix Inversion system except that it requires no reference signal. It is a gradient-based algorithm that works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus). The minimum shift key (MSK) signal, for example,is a signal that has the property of a constant modulus .The weight is updated by the equation W(n+1)=W(n)+  µx(n)e(n)* where  µ is the step-size parameter(n) is the input vector,and e(n)=y(n)(R2-|Y(n)|2 where R2=E.[X(n)]4/[X(n)]2 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. D) RLS ALGORITHM In Recursive least square (RLS) algorithm, the weights are updated by the following equation. W(n)=W(n −1)+K(n)ÃŽ ¶* (n) n=1,2, Where, K(n) is referred to as the gain vector and ÃŽ ¶ (n) is a priori estimation error which is given by the equation: ÃŽ ¶ (n)=d(n)-w(n-1)x(n)The RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly. It requires reference signal and correlation matrix information. E) VSSNLMS(Variable step size NLMS) Algorithm: Ali Hakam et al.(2014) proposed that the main aim of the developed Variable Step Size (VSS) NLMS algorithm is to replace the fixed step size ÃŽ ¼ that is used in NLMS by a variable one. This is to avoid a trade-off issue between convergence rate and steady-state MSE. In this algorithm a large step size is used in the initial stages to speed the rate of convergence and a smaller step size is used near to the steady state of the Mean Square Error (MSE) to obtain an optimum value. To achieve this, ÃŽ ¼ is multiplied by P(k) which is randomly chosen from the uniform distribution [0 1] and each time of the N iteration times. Then to control the variable step value, it is multiplied by a curve function that is as follows: ÃŽ ¶(k) = (6/N)2[(K-(N/6)]2+0.001 1≠¤k≠¤N/6 .001 N/6 Where N is the input signal number. By Multiplying equation (9) by the random numbers P(k) and the normalized step size parameter  µ, the variable step size develops to:  µ(K) = P(K) ÃŽ ¶(K)  µ Substituting the variable step size (10) to the conventional fixed step size NLMS algorithm (8), the proposed algorithm is shown as: W(k+1)=W(K)+ µ(K)e(K)x(k)/ÏÆ'+ ||x(K)|| TABLE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT ALGORITHMS LMS Easily implemented method for on-line estimation of time-varying system parameters. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed and the variation of the learning curve.The LMS algorithm do not involve any matrix operations. LMS algorithm is least demanding in computational complexity. Simplicity and ease of computation It does not require off-line gradient estimations or repetition of data. The rate of convergence is slow for a small value of ÃŽ ¼ but this gives a good estimation of the gradient vector since a large amount of data is taken into account. The algorithm requires knowledge of the transmitted signal sending periodically some known pilot sequences that is known to the receiver RLS It requires reference signal and correlation matrix Information The RLS algorithm also converges much more quickly than the LMS algorithm RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly the computational complexity hasbeen increased. CMA works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus) usefulness of CMA when channel conditions are rapidly changing. disadvantage of the CMA is slow convergence time. The slow converges limits the usefulness of the algorithm in the dynamic environment NLMS known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Normalized LMS(NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. NLMS algorithm requires a minimum of one additional multiply, divide, and addition over the LMS algorithm to implement for shift input data. IV) APPLICATIONS: Use of adaptive antenna in existing systems will reduce power consumption and interference while enhancing spectral density in wireless system which is the need of wireless communication systems. V) CONCLUSION: Smart Antenna systems are antennas with intelligence and the radiation pattern can be varied without any mechanically changed. The principle reason for the growing interest in smart antenna systems is the capacity increase and low power consumption. Smart antennas will increase the SIR by simultaneously increasing the useful received signal level and lowering the interference level. VI) REFERENCES: [1] Ali Hakam, Raed Shubair, Shihab Jimaa, and Ehab Salahat,Robust Interference Suppression Using a New LMS Based Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm in 17th IEEE Mediterranean ElectrotechnicalConference,Beirut,Lebanon,13-16 April 2014. [2] H. Takekawa,T. Shimamura and S. Jimaa, An efficient and effective variable step size NLMS algorithm, in 42nd Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, October, 2008. [3] Leandro Vieira dos Santos, Jacqueline Silva Pereira,Least Mean Square Algorithm Analysis for a High Capacity Mobile Long Term Evolution Network IEEE 2013. [4] Shahera HOSSAIN, Mohammad Tariqul ISLAM and Seiichi SERIKAWA, Adaptive Beamforming Algorithms for Smart Antenna Systems,International Conference on Control, Automation and Systems 2008,Oct. 14-17, 2008 in COEX, Seoul, Korea. [5] T.B. Lavate, V.K. Kokate, G.S. Mani, Non blind and blind adaptive array smart antenna beam forming algorithams for w-cdma mobile communication systems ,Second International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications,2008. [6] Vishal V Sawant,Mahesh Chavan,Performance of Beamforming for Smart antenna using Traditional LMS algorithm for various parameters,Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Electronics, Signal Processing and Communication Systems. [7] Haitao Liu, Steven Gao, and Tian-Hong Loh,Small Director Array for Low-Profile Smart Antennas Achieving Higher Gain,IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 61, no. 1, January 2013. [8] Susmita Das, IEEE Member,Smart Antenna Design for Wireless Communication using Adaptive Beam-forming Approach [9] Anurag Shivam Prasad, Sandeep Vasudevan , Selvalakshmi R, Analysis of Adaptive Algorithms for Digital Beamforming in Smart AntennasIEEE-International Conference on Recent Trends in Information Technology, ICRTIT MIT, Anna University, Chennai. June 3-5, 2011

Essay --

The Bureau of Investigation was renamed the â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigation,† in 1935. The FBI became well known by American culture during the rule of John Edgar Hoover. John Edgar Hoover is unquestionably the most famous federal agent in the history of the United States. He turned an insignificant federal law enforcement agency with restricted law enforcement powers into the most esteemed law enforcement organization in the world. The FBI was seen as a crucial part of America’s win in World War II due to its efforts against espionage. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Hoover increased the FBI’s Cold War efforts to prevent the power of Communist supporters and spies in the United States. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the FBI became known as the primary agency to protect the civil rights of all citizens within the South. The FBI continued to fight against espionage throughout the Cold War. This ultimately led to the decrease in communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The FBI also became involved with many other highly publicized cases. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the FBI investigated domestic terror groups on both the left and the right wings of the political spectrum. The FBI also regarded public corruption and organized crime as very important priorities during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Beginning in the 1980’s all the way up to present day the FBI has increasingly focused its attention on acts of terrorism. In the middle and late 1980’s, several acts of terrorism were committed against Americans overseas. Terrorism remained in the spotlight during the 90’s in response to numerous incidents, such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York City and the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal B... ...s it correlates to the manufacturing, distribution, and supplying of legally produced controlled substances. They are responsible for the cooperation with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials on shared drug enforcement efforts and the bettering of these efforts by means of exploitation of impending interstate and international investigations. They are also accountable for the cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies, and foreign governments in programs intended to reduce the accessibility of illegal abuse-type drugs for sale in the United States through non-enforcement techniques. In addition, they are responsible for every program related to drug law enforcement correspondents in foreign countries, and the relationship with the Interpol, United Nations, and other organizations on affairs regarding international drug control programs (DEA).

Overcomming Cultural Challanges Tyco Case Study

CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION Student : Odirile MachaDate : 15 October 2012 | 1. Tyco Employees’ Frustration turnaround3 2. Tyco’s Strategy to Overcome Cultural Change barriers5 3. Tyco’s CEO: Rebuild corporate reputation: Message package to Employees8 4. Issues emerging in communicating change externally: Tyco Case10 5. Bibliography12 * Tyco Employees’ Frustration turnaround (Gerard & Teurfs 1995; Palmer et al. 009) urges that practice dialogue is commonly used combat issue of culture in an organization or community, the practice consist of four components defined: a) First rule, the participants must suspend the attachment to their own position and judgements regarding each other. This allows participants to be more accepting to others perspective. b) Second rule, participant must identify their underlying assumptions on the matter at hand. ) Third rule, participant must listen actively to each other; remain actively present during the sessions. d) Final rul e, participants must reflect in order to uncover deeper issues and create a profound level of understanding. Transformation of culture can be measured or realised, as urged by Gerard & Teurfs (1995), byatransformed participant behavior, by the morale or feeling with the organization and by the attitude of collaborations instead of individualism.The purpose of response to question seeks to establish: the similarities in between the approach taken by the Turnaround team and the practice of dialogue; and also evaluate the outcome inline with the perceived results of a transformed culture. These similaries between the Turnaround team’s approach and practice dialogue, categorized into three stages of using dialogue in problem solving , a view supported by Gerard & Teurfs (1995). Stage 1. Problem Identification (Gerard & Teurfs 1995; Palmer et al. 009) urges that the first stage seeks to identify problems early and assist the team in setting their priorities. a) The general assumpt ion made is that Breen was part of the Turnaround team, and the fact that he never commented about Kozlowski’s past behaviour, is in line with the first step of practice in dialogue, where the participant suspend the attachment to their own position and judgements regarding each other. b) The turnaround team (Breen), communicated in a letter to the employees and shareholders, Tyco’s commitment to reinvent its credibility and integrity.This message was all inclusive not directed to any particular individuals, and that qualifies to the second rule about assumptions about each other’s commitment. The problem was identified to be lack of credibility and integrity leading to frustration of employees at Tyco, which were centred on the ethical behaviour that existed during the last CEO’s tenure, which brought uncertainty to the future of the company. Stage 2. Problem Solving (Gerard & Teurfs, 1995; Palmer et al. 2009) urges that the second stage seeks to underst and the problem, generate solutions, and make decisions. a) The approach to communication, by the turnaround team, in defining Guide to ethical conduct of employees. Instead of defining just Code of ethics rules. The team built guides with illustrative which were meant to make the code easier to read and understand, this is in line with the third rule in dialogue, where the participant should remain active during the sessions, and absorb the messages consistently. ) The message was package in local languages across different cultures and delivered through meeting (â€Å"if you want to change the hearts people about their ethical behaviour, you must bring live to this document†), instead of sending the documents to all operations around the globe, the Turnaround team choose to deliver the message in meeting (face to face), to gain active participation and also get feedback on the assumptions the team made in line with the first and second rule. The turnaround team did make dec ision to changing the executive team and infrastructure related changes.The team also made a decision on the implementation approach. Stage 3. Implementation (Gerard & Teurfs, 1995; Palmer et al. , 2009) urges that the final stage seeks confirm that the group behind the change will support the final decision and be committed to it. a) The implementation was done in meetings, with the message packed in videos and corporate management making visits to Tyco sites, which is in line with the third rule for developing a profound understanding is achieved. b) Management site visits also build a profound understanding of issues in line with rule three.The fact that corporate manager visit site and dialogue issues with management brings a degree of trust, releasing a lot of frustration that the employees had. c) The implementation involved further training of 20,000 personnel, localising trainers who went further provide input further refinement of the massage blue print for targeted destina tion, these refinement were published, this is in line with rule two and three, on understanding problem and getting commitment. d) The organisation gained an improved Governance metrics of international rating from 1. in 2002 to 9. 0 in 2005, and was consider being the most dramatically improved. This improvement is in line with the third rulewhere the result demonstrates the team fully understood the problem and prescribed a fit solution. The Turnaround team were fully committed to the change and the results were observed to have a positive impact on the organisation as a whole. The outcome can be measured though positive energy on the employee as the managed to produce positive result in profits and improved ratings. Tyco’s Strategy to Overcome Cultural Change barriersGhemawat (2001) urges that distance from an area of comfort of doing business (base country) always has in impact on the overall strategy, and that the impact of distance on industry and product is based on t he country specific characteristic defined: a) Culture (C) covers different ethnicities, lack of connective ethnic or social networks; different religions and different social norms. b) Administrative (A) covers aabsence of colonial ties; absence of shared monetary or political association; Political hostility; government policies; institutional weakness. ) Geography (G) covers physical remoteness; lack of a common border; lack of sea or river access; size of country; weak transportation or communication links, differences in climates d) Economic (E) covers differences in consumer incomes differences in costs and quality of: natural resources, financial resources, human resources, infrastructure, intermediate inputs, and information or knowledge. Tyco’s global strategy will have to address these international issues, if they are compete internationally because challenges differ from one country to the next, a view shared by (Grant, 2010).The other part to this question, is to develop a strategy that will assist in overcoming cultural barrier that faced Tyco, Hill & Hernadez-Requejo (2011) urge the best way for a Tyco to deal with cultural bariers is to develop a Cross culture litetracy, use country specific input and use local content. Cross Culture literacy Hill & Hernadez-Requejo (2011) urges that for international company to succeed in doing what they do, they must adapt to conform with the value system and norm of that culture.The adaptation must cover the following: ways of dealing with negotiation, incentive pay system, organisation structure, products naming, labor and management relations and product promotion concepts to avoid cultural conflicts associated with cultural differences (Hill & Hernadez-Requejo 2011). International companies in other countries, must learn more about the countries and cultural values (Hofstede, 1980; House et al. , 2004), and how these will affect their business.Tyco’s strategy to overcome culture barriers hin ges on understanding the cultural values and differences that exist in each country, and (discovered that these values are deeply embedded in people who work in these organisation. (Hofstede, 1980) confirms that values are held the moral behaviour of people and how they ultimately perform in their organisations. The strategy seeks understand the values identified by (Hofstede, 1980): Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance; Masculinity vs. Femininity; Individualism vs. Collectivism; Long vs.Short Term Orientation; and then identify the mis-alignments and adapt to the new cultural values without compromising the organization value system, a view by Hill & Hernadez-Requejo (2011). a) Power Distance Local Manager should be equipped to with the relevant skills to handle prevent, guard against and deal with issues influence by socioecomic status and power that may exist in the community within which Tyco operates, a view supported by Hill & Hernadez-Requejo (2011), to ensure that organisat ion key objectives are met. b) Masculinity vs. FemininityLocal manager should be empowered to align that the organization observes community or individual values governing the gender based differentiation in masculine based country and the contrary, a view confirmed by Hill & Hernadez-Requejo (2011), to ensure that organisation key objectives are not compromised. c) Individualism vs. Collectivism Local Manager should be empower to align that the organization observes community or individual values governing collectiveness society where family ties are strong to an extent where employee cannot be separated with their families and conform where possible and the contrary should be observed. ) Uncertainty Avoidance Local Manager should be empower to align that the organization observes community or individual values associated how they view uncertainty and ensure proactive communication to avoid instance of uncertainty that may affect corporate objectives. e) Long vs. Short Term Orienta tion Local Manager should be empower to align that the organization observes community or individual values to stay in the same job for short or long term, and make sure the build contingencies that are cost efficient for the organization.The strategies must be broken down into initiatives that can be easily followed and delivered, with proper measures and timeline, a view by Palmer et al. (2009). Tyco’s CEO: Rebuild corporate reputation: Message package to Employees Corporate reputation defines, how the organisations perceived by all its internal and external stakeholders and it is always linked with trust and credibility, a view shared by Grates (2005), who further confirms that a loss in the company (Tyco) trust and credibility destroys its reputation and is difficult to restore.The current situation at Tyco, with the former CEO on trial, has lowered the reputation of company. According to (Collin 2001; Hughes et al 2012), it take a long time for a company to build its rep utation, through delivery of sustainable proof before the stake holders can endorse it as a positive reputation. The crisis situation that Tyco is in, have been identified and there reputational issues that needs to be managed to avoid further damage.There is an immediate need to communicate with, internal and external stakeholder, and the message content should contain the following as guided by [Reputation-Risk of risks: Economist Intelligent Unit]: * Concerns – As the CEO,I have to communicate and acknowledge the challenges that Tyco is faced with; own up to what has gone wrong; and express regret and concern, a view supported by Palmer et al (2009). * Commitment – As the CEO, I have to communicate a plan to fix this problem and share in detail an action plan with clear timelines, a view supported by Palmer et al (2009). Control – As the CEO, I must demonstrate that we are in control of the situation and that we are liaising with the relevant authorities invo lved to bring the situation under control a view supported by Palmer et al (2009). It is imperative, as the CEO, to break news earlier to employees and keys stakeholder [Reputation-Risk of risks: Economist Intelligent Unit], before the other sources share information that is ambiguous and could shake up the stakeholder and affect the companies operation.It is however important to also acknowledge indeed some business operation and resource will be affected and also provide a medium that could be used by also sources to provide feedback. Any questions that are asked must be responded to consistently with the message shared by the CEO. As the CEO, it is important to step back and reflect on my personal reputation and professional conduct, are tightly tied to the reputation of the company. The decision made should be consistent, as confirmed by [Reputation-Risk of risks: Economist Intelligent Unit], with the messages that are being put across as the turnaround strategy.There should be transparency on actions taken, as confirmed by [Reputation-Risk of risks: Economist Intelligent Unit] that affect people, and information about plans should be share promptly. Palmer et al (2009) urge that it is within and through communication that changes occurs and as the CEO, it is ideal to explore the change methodologies that are effective for internal communication with staff. There are four types of change approaches, which can be used draw up the speech acts as defined by Palmer et al. (2009): Initiative conversation – this focuses on the need for change depending on the situation, in the event that something has happened already or before it occurs. In the case of Tyco, the initiative would be based on what the organisation seeks to undertake to address the problems that have been identified. The message will contain assertions (what need to be in aligned with governance issues), request (to establish reforms to achieve objective) and declaration message (about new targets) going forward: * Conversation for understanding – meant to provide employees with greater appreciation of change issues and problem areas.The conversation would seek to establish on clarity solution proposed to target the challenges and beyond. * Conversation for performance – focuses on producing the actual change required, at Tyco, this would be the time to implement all the promises Tyco committed to deliver on aligned to the plan shared with stake holders. * Conversation for closure- is an indication of the completion of the actual change, this is where acknowledgements are made to deserving participants, and rewards are disclosed ad celebration ensued.The CEO cannot carry out all these activities on his own but requires to have people with the right skills in the right jobs, people with the attitude to lead the change and these people have to be carefully selected a view by (Collin 2001; Hughes et al 2012). The CEO still remain accountable but provide gui dance in direction to ensure that what is delivered is consistent with the commitments made. Issues emerging in communicating change externally: Tyco Case Palmer et al. 2009) urges that external oriented communication can be categorised into two parts: communication with external stakeholder that relates to internal organisation changes; and where there is need to handle a crisis situation. In Tyco case is more associated with the crisis situation and the communication was done with a letter to internal and external stakeholders, and the message promoted credibility; integrity; and promoted a culture of accountability, the question seek to find out how effective communication was to external stakeholders.Palmer et al. (2009) urge external communication is different from internal communication is a number of respects, it address issues relating to: justification decision made; assurance over an allegation made; downplaying statements made (concealment) ,or reassurance that matter are under control. Issue emerging from the case: a) Hiring a new CEO, is a also consider a major event in rebuilding the reputation of Tyco, that required external communication. [The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller] ) The Tyco letter Breen spoke to reassurance and commitment to change. The message was carefully crafted because at the time there was not much to give out, as the trial was still on-going. The message seek to reassure the employees and shareholders that; Breen and his team were committed to addressing issues relating to credibility of the corporation internal and external stakeholder but is does not layout the intervention and the time it will take to restore the integrity.There was no apology from the CEO about recent bad publicity; it is as if nothing major has happened at least resentment would have been enough. [The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller] c) The changes done at board and executive level were fitting of external communication esp ecially the appointments new executive members and board, because reputation issues affecting Tyco, were more to deal with the CEO’s leadership and board and between the two they are both responsible for the wellbeing of the organisations reputation. The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller] d) Guideline developed for internal employees relating to interaction with suppliers and partners would have been something that worth external communication, this was a good initiative as it commits Tyco to a good corporate principle. [The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller] e) The fact that Tyco, consider best practice models Sigma, was the right move as it demonstrated Tyco’s desire to improve the corporate performance, this move was worth sharing externally if it does not compromise their competitiveness. ) The fact that Tyco, consider engage in an audit and the performance rating was improved dramatically, it was worth going public on the results, this su rely is some reputation builder according to [The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller], and this was worth acknowledging and celebrating. g) The fact that the turnaround of Tyco, was well completed within five years and that the corporation managed to payout dividends worth 2. 09 billion, was not communicated externally well enough, but it some positive development for the shareholder.The corporate media for public communication and information sharing were not well explored [The road to reputation recovery: Burson-Marsteller] Bibliography Busson-Marsteller (2009). 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