Line Follower Robot

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM| EE2G – Design Report| THE GREAT EGG RACE| | | 25. 01. 2012| Table of Contents Appendix3 The Group Contract3 Introduction4 Literature Review4 History of mobile robots:4 The history of the line-following robots:5 Ongoing a most advanced projects on line-following robots or line-following based robots:5 Aims:6 Objectives:6 Requirements:6 System Decomposition7 Group Management Structure9 Name of the Robot9 Mechanical Design10 Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice10 Option 110 Option 211Review of the Frame12 Review of the Wheels12 Final Design13 Electronic Design14 Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice14 The Control Unit:14 The chosen microcontroller and the reasons: PIC16F64815 Stepper Motors Unit:16 The Driver Unit16 Software Design18 Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice18 Odd or even number of sensors18 The Number of Sensors18 The shape in which the sensors are put together18 The angle of t he V19 How does the program work? 19 Time Management plan22 Risk Assessment24Very possible, low cost and manageable risks24 The plans we have specifically come up with for the Robot project25 Components Wish List26 Conclusion28 References29 Appendix The Group Contract As a group, EGM had one target, to bring life to ICKI. This would not happen but with cooperation and hard work. By signing this contract you declare: * EGM will do the tasks they are responsible for by the internal deadline decided. * If EGM had any problems fulfilling any of their responsibilities they should inform the group leader in advance. EGM should back up all their group mates in unexpected and hard situations. * EGM should trust their group mates for their capability of doing their own responsibilities however this does not mean that they cannot say their opinion and ideas. * As the work break down has been decided when the entire group have been together, EGM is not allowed to complain about the inconsisten cy in the work division among the members of the group. * In any case when all the group members cannot get to agree on one subject they will have to count votes.If they tie they will have to ask a person’s opinion every group member trusts. (Or they can flip a coin alternatively. ) * If EGM wants to change any of the plans, they should discuss it with the rest of the group first. They are not allowed to accept doing something and do it in their own way without a group agreement. * EGM is responsible for attending all the group meetings unless they have a convincing reason not doing so. If any of the group members disobeys any of the statements above, the rest of the group has the right to reduce their mark upon agreement.Delaram SharifiZhanar Samayeva Hedieh Ekhlasi Xun Liu Introduction The purpose of this initial report is to survey the created plan made in order to accomplish the given Robot Project. This project is given to entire second year and the purpose of the projec t is to design and construct an autonomous robot that should follow the dark line track on a light background. First there is an overview on the line follower robots in literature review , The aims, objectives and requirements will follow the review. Literature ReviewThe line-following robots are classified under the â€Å"Mobile Robots†. Mobile Robots are the robots which do not have a fixed base; they can move around and do not physically stand at one location. These kinds of robots are fairly important as it is stated in this part of the article from Wikipedia’s Mobile robot is stated below: â€Å"Mobile robots are the focus of a great deal of current research and almost every major university has one or more labs that focus on mobile robot research. Mobile robots are also found in industry, military and security environments.They also appear as consumer products, for entertainment or to perform certain tasks like vacuum, gardening and some other common household t asks. † History of mobile robots: The first mobile robots were built during the World War II with the main purpose of producing flying bombs and radars. The next generations would follow a light source, determine if there are any obstacles and plug in themselves when their battery was low and according to the needs they would have different functions and made huge improvements in the progress so that they cover a very wide range of features.Line-following robots which are the main subject of this project are classified as â€Å"Land or Home Wheeled† robots. It is necessary to be said that the technology is far more advanced now that the robots with human like or animal like legs to provide mobility rather than legs exist. The technology has gone as far as making intelligent human-like robot (Androids), with a variety of capabilities such as speaking, voice recognition, face recognition, human like movements, dancing and singing.The purposes behind these projects are com ing from a variety of backgrounds as well such as: Household robot which can undertakes any of a house holds maid’s duties and science fiction movie productions. The pioneer countries in Android are Japan, Korea, the US, the UK and Iran. The information above are to show how advance the technology has gone in mobile robots but since the aims set for this project require very much lower level of understanding the mobile robots, this subject will not be discussed further. The history of the line-following robots:The designs of the first line-follower robot in 1960 was basically built for the purpose of getting controlled from earth while it is on the moon using a camera on it for processing images and video which has been unsuccessful. At 1970 the robot ended up following a high contrast white line under controlled lighting conditions at a speed of about 0. 8 mph which is pretty different to this robot projectsince we have more advanced programming equipment and processors, the robot of ours uses sensors rather than the video cameras to use less process. The main aim is thoroughly different too.The fist line-following robot was followed by more commercial used robots for which could do vacuuming and cleaning the floor. They used sensors to get the objects out of their way which is the method in which this project’s robot will determine its track, using sensors. Ongoing a most advanced projects on line-following robots or line-following based robots: The most advanced of the line followers according to the Wikipedia, DARPA website, Kiva systems and spec -minder website are : â€Å"DARPA Urban Grand Challenge, with six vehicles autonomously completing a complex course involving manned vehicles and obstacles.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Kiva Systems  clever robots proliferate in distribution operations; these smart shelving units sort themselves according to the popularity of their contents. The Tug becomes a popular means for hospitals to move large cabinets of st ock from place to place. † â€Å"The  Speci-Minder  with Motivity begins carrying blood and other patient samples from nurses' stations to various labs. â€Å" â€Å"Seekur, the first widely available, non-military outdoor service robot, pulls a 3-ton vehicle across a parking lot  , drives autonomously indoors and begins learning how to navigate itself outside. â€Å"Boston Dynamics released video footage of a new generation  BigDog  able to walk on icy terrain and recover its balance when kicked from the side. † The mentioned robots are very advanced using not only basic reflective switch sensors but also cameras to detect whatever their purpose is. Since this project requires simple solution to make the robot built fast and work fast these could not very much help in the process of building the robot. According to the websites and also reports available on the internet, every university which does computer science or electrical engineering has got some ki nd of robot project and mainly line followers.The specific specifications are moderately different but in all projects the main purpose is practicing an actual project in real life and knowing how to use simple and quick circuit design, program and implementation. The MINI Line follower robot for example has the most similar specifications to this project. The robot needs to follow a line powering up by a battery with size limitations. Kerman, Judith B. (1991). Retrofitting Blade Runner: Issues in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press. ISBN 0-87972-509-5. Perkowitz, Sidney (2004). Digital People: From Bionic Humans to Androids. Joseph Henry Press. ISBN 0-309-09619-7. Shelde, Per (1993). Androids, Humanoids, and Other Science Fiction Monsters: Science and Soul in Science Fiction Films. New York: New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-7930-1. http://www. stanford. edu/~learne st/cart. htm http://www. richardvannoy. info/building-a-line-following-robot. pdf http://ikalogic. com/proj_mini_line_folower. php ttp://online. physics. uiuc. edu/courses/phys405/P405_Projects/Fall2005/Robot_project_jaseung_. pdf http://nereus. mech. ntua. gr/pdf_ps/aim11. pdf Aims: * To design and construct an autonomous robot * The robot to be completed on time * To build the robot with its maximum speed * Build the robot with all the possibilities to win the race Objectives: * To come up with the ideas * To work as a team. Review and practice the skills of teamwork * To get experience of systems engineering * Improve electronic and mechanical practical design skillsRequirements: * The robot must follow the line a) The line is 50mm wide b) The line is 10m long c) The line is black on white background d) The line has maximum corners of 900 e) The line is horizontal * The robot must move forward * The robot must carry an egg a) The mass of egg is 25gr (approx. ) b) The size of egg is 5cm x 3cm (approx. ) System Decomposition System is an organized, purposeful structure regarded as a whole and consisting of interrelated and interdependent elements such as components, entities, factors, members, or parts.According to the Robot Project, the robot itself is the system, as it is consists of different subsystems, while the subsystems made of the components. Being more related to the Robot, it can be explained as the Mechanical, Electronic and Software Designs are the main subsystems, while the elements of each subsystem is defined as the components. The figure below shows the Robot system decomposition for better explanation: Figure [ 1 ]- The System Decomposition for the robot Group Management Structure During the meetings the work allocations between group members were discussed.The works as mechanical, electronic, programming, report, DVD film and logbook were divided between each in the group. To give one work division per group member means to put a big respon sibility on him, as every part has a big amount of not easy work to be done, and it can cause the difficulty in understanding the job that will lead to uncertainty. So every part has two members to work on it, and every group member has 3 jobs to be done by the end of the project and the work allocations are as followings: * Team Leader : Delaram Sharifi * Mechanical: Zhanar ; Hedieh Electronic: Xun ; Delaram * Programming: Delaram ; Hedieh * Reports: Zhanar ; Hedieh * DVD Film: Xun ; Zhanar * Logbook: Delaram ; Xun Name of the Robot The first thing was done by group is creating the name for the future robot. This process made the group to be more opened, close-knit, and creative, as well as the process helped to improve the team working. A lot of options we considered, but the main aim of giving the name was to create something that can reflect all of the group members in one name. So the final choice made by the group is the name ICKI.It stands by the countries of the each group m ember which are Iran, China, Kazakhstan, and Iran again. Mechanical Design Mechanical design for the robot presents many challenges and its main idea is to make it simple and affordable. The mechanical design of autonomous robot is including: * Robot’s Wheels. They are one of the most important assemblies of the mechanical platform. * Robot’s Frame. This frame is mechanical platform of robot and due to the frame all the parts are hold together * Motors. To control the speed and direction of the robot. * Sensors. To detect the direction.Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice During one of the meetings there are two options of mechanical design were discussed. Two group members responsible for the design presented their ideas to the group with all the aspects, advantages and disadvantages. The option as followings: Option 1 The first option was presented as the robot with the round shape. Then the robot would have 2 wheels by the left and right sides, 2 motors, line with 5 sensors in the front and the frame of HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene), i. e. plastic. Figure 2-Round Shape Option 2The second option is to make more traditional, the rectangular one. The rectangular robot with the frame and base of Aluminum or HDPE, with 2 wheels on the sides and with the â€Å"V† shape line sensors and the skid on the front. The skid will help to control the balance. Figure 3-Rectangular Shape After presenting the options of the mechanical design for the robot some advantages and disadvantages were written for each of the option that helped the group to choose the right one. During the discussion of the design, three things were considered: capacity, light weight and low to the ground.As long as two motors are used for the construction of the robot and each motor can take one wheel, the neediness in wheels is just for two. So two wheels connected to the motors at the back of the robot is enough to control the rout and the skid connec ted to the sensor board in the front can help the autonomous robot control the balance. The robot’s size is to be about 12cm to 14 cm and 4 cm is for the wheels. Review of the Frame The frame is the basic structure to which everything should be attached and Aluminum and HDPE were considered as the frame.First of all, Aluminum is strong, light, and easy to cut and drill while HDPE is the same light, strong, easy to shape and cut but also the cheap one. In comparison, HDPE has a very low thermal conductivity, and a higher strength to weight ratio than Aluminum. Review of the Wheels All the group members agreed that the large diameter wheels give the robot low torque but high velocity and if the motors strong enough then the wheels with larger diameter better to use. The speed of the robot depends on the size of the wheels and it is good to have them between 1cm and 2 cm.Here are some advantages and disadvantages of the first and second options that were made during the discussi ons on the meetings: | First OptionThe Round Shape| Second OptionThe Rectangular Shape| Advantages| * Beautiful, unusual design * HDPE frame | * HDPE frame * The front skid * â€Å"V† shape line sensors * Compact| Disadvantages| * Distance between wheels and sensors is not enough to make turns right after the sensor is detected * Not enough of space for circuit board, 2 motors and sensors, that makes the design not compact| * Usual Design| Table [ 1 ] Advantages and Disadvantages for the design optionsFinal Design Taking into account all the reviews made and the table of advantages and disadvantages the decision was made is to choose the second option of the mechanical design, and to change some nuances as to use HDPE for the frame together with the â€Å"V† shape line sensors (also see Software Design) and add a spoon in the middle between the wheels that is the best position to keep the balance for an egg. So the final result would look like: Figure 4-Final Design El ectronic Design The Circuit is consisted of 5 units. Sensors are acting as the input. The control unit controls every component in the circuit.The driver provides enough power for the stepper motor to move the robot. The Power supply powers up the whole circuit. Sensors Control Unit Driver Stepper Motors Power Supply Figure 5-Block Diagram Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice The Control Unit: AVR/PIC/8051 8051: an old but very popular controller. The older 8051s are kind of slow: 12 clocks per instruction. Newer 8051s have 6 clocks per instruction up to 1 clock per instruction. The selection of low pin count devices is a bit limited. Most 8051s have an external memory bus that makes it easy to add memory and peripherals.CISC has free C compiler. PIC: Slightly less old than the 8051. PICs are popular with both industrial developers and hobbyists alike due to their low cost, wide availability, large user base, extensive collection of application notes, availabil ity of low cost or free development tools, and serial programming (and re-programming with flash memory) capability. AVR: The newest architecture by about 20 years. Designed for a pipeline, so has a very good clocks/instruction. Good range of devices: small and cheap with fairly high performance. It is very C friendly because of the RISC. Comparison:Selections: AVR=PIC;8051; Price: AVR=8051;PIC; For beginners: 8051;PIC;AVR; C language: AVR=PIC;8051; Anti-interference: AVR=PIC;8051; Final Choice We have used PIC in a few experiments, so we are familiar with it. Moreover, in university we just have equipment for program the PIC, so we decided to use the PIC. The chosen microcontroller and the reasons: PIC16F648 The PIC16F84 was chosen for its small size, easy reprogram ability and interrupts it is clocked at 4 MHZ by a ceramic resonator and it can be even powered by 4 AA rechargeable batteries (Very low consumption).These same batteries power the motors. This is usually not recommende d since surges in motor current can affect the processors operation, but with decoupling caps in place and the watchdog timer being used in the software no problems were experienced. The watchdog could reset the processor if it went stupid before you could ever see it act up. After all, we considered the number of inputs and outputs. The inputs are number of sensors we have which is 7, and outputs are motors. So PIC16F648 which we have used several times has enough bit (8-bit PORTA, 8-bit PORTB). Stepper Motors Unit:Servo motor/Stepper motor Servo motor: A servomotor (servo) is an electromechanical device in which an electrical input determines the position of the armature of a motor. Servos are used extensively in robotics and radio-controlled cars, airplanes, and boats. Stepper motor: A stepper motor (or step motor) is a brushless DC electric motor that can divide a full rotation into a large number of steps. The motor's position can be controlled precisely without any feedback me chanism (an open-loop controller), as long as the motor is carefully sized to the application. Comparison:Both types of motors offer similar opportunities for precise positioning, but they differ in a number of ways. Servomotors require analogue feedback control systems of some type. Typically, this involves a potentiometer to provide feedback about the rotor position, and some mix of circuitry to drive a current through the motor inversely proportional to the difference between the desired position and the current position Final Choice: Servo motor needs complex analogue feedback circuits. And we have used stepper motor before. However stepper motor will be given to us, so we chose stepper motor. The Driver UnitL298&L297/L293D A motor controller is a device or group of devices that serves to govern in some predetermined manner the performance of an electric motor. [1] A motor controller might include a manual or automatic means for starting and stopping the motor, selecting forward or reverse rotation, selecting and regulating the speed, regulating or limiting the torque, and protecting against overloads and faults. Three ways to drive a stepper motor: Use a transistor to drive each coil. But It was a little awkward to wire up the circuit – board space. Also, it requires 4 pins on the PIC to drive the motor.Use a driver array packaged in an IC. Don't forget to wire in the protection diodes! (i. e. SAA1027, L298, L293D) Use a specialized stepper motor driver chip. It would save on board space, and pin usage. As the price of stepper motor drive chip is very expensive and 4 transistors to drive each coil may make the board a mass. So we choose stepper motor driver IC. L298 has current capacity of 2A compared to 0. 6 A of a L293D. L293D’s package is not suitable for attaching a good heat sink; practically you can’t use it above 16V without frying it. L298 on the other hand works happily at 16V without a heat sink, so we choose L298.And in the datasheet we find out that it’s better to combine L298 with L297. * It needs to be considered that regarding to the temperature power supply is going to add to the circuit a heat sink needs to be included in the board otherwise it would melt. Software Design Technical Options, Critical Review and Final Design Choice The software to be used in order to program the pic CCS C Compiler, as it is the well-known software for the group. This software was used to do experiment laboratories for EE2A course and to use CCS C Compiler to program the robot will be more than adequate and helpful.Odd or even number of sensors Both odd and even numbers are possible to use, the group has chosen the odd to increase the accuracy and make the code more understandable and clear. As it will be explained how the program works, it will be clear how they both can be used. The Number of Sensors * 3: The program would work, but not accurate enough. All turns, no matter large or small will be reacted t he same. * 7: Again, the program will work, but needs far too much extra effort, increases the time of processing the data and makes the code very complicated. 5: Is a perfectly fine number, will give the opportunity to detect the turns in two different stages so that the robot can make the turns soon enough and with more accuracy. The shape in which the sensors are put together * An upside down V: Where the middle sensor is in the front, followed by two sensors, wider from each other in the back and followed by another two sensors, wider at the very back. This will not work because the turn is detected by the wider sensors later than the right time for to move to be taken from the robot. This method may be accurate but would not help the robot being fast. line: Where all the sensors are at the same level. This method is better than the latter but still will not make the robot to detect the larger turns sooner in order to make the reaction at the right time. * V: The middle sensor i s at the very back corner, two sensors with a wider distance comes next and the last two, again wider at the front. This method makes the robot understand the large angles sooner with the outer sensors, so that the robot will start turning sooner than the smaller angles which are detected by the middle sensors. The angle of the VThe angle should not be too small, because the robot will start the turns too early, and it should not be very wide because then it would not make any difference from the flat shape. This is to be experienced during the testing process but the decided angle at this time is 120 degrees. How does the program work? As it has been explained before, there are 5 sensors to be used in the robot. The recognition of the turns has been explained in 4 figures below. The green circles represent the sensors which have detected the black line and the red circles represent the sensors which have detected the white surface.The green circle is the logic â€Å"1† and t he red is the logic â€Å"0†. Normal positions of the sensors In this situation, when only the middle sensor detects the black line, the robot moves straight forward without any turns. The logic is â€Å"00100† 2. 5 cm Figure 4- The normal position of the sensors More than 50? turns including the 90? : When the turn is more than 50 degrees, the outer sensor feels the turn sooner than the middle sensor, so that the robot will start turning earlier, or if decided faster as well. The logic is â€Å"00101†. Figure 5-The more than 50? turns.It also needs to be said that if the large turns are happening for a very little while (for less than 4. 5 cm), the middle sensor will sense the turn first so that the robot would not change the direction to fast and get out of control. Less than 50? turn: When the turn is more than 50? , the middle sensor feels the turn first, so that the robot starts turning at a reasonable time to manage the turn. The logic is â€Å"00110† Figure 6-The less than 50? turns Approximately 50 degrees turns: At this situation, both middle and outer sensor feel the turn at the same time.The logic is â€Å"00111†. Figure 7- ? 50 ? Time Management plan Due to EE2G1 module, students have learnt how to manage their time in given projects using the graphs, charts and tables. Here is the Gantt chart that consists of two tables. The first one helps to analyze what tasks has to be done, when it has to be started and what amount of time is given and also gives the information about each task, if it is sequential or parallel. Task| Earliest Start (week)| Length (week)| Type| Dependent on†¦| A. High Level analysis| Week 0| 1 week| Sequential| | B.Selection of Mechanical Design and Components| Week 1| 1 week| Sequential| A| C. Detailed Analysis of Electronics for Robot| Week 1| 1 week| Sequential| A| D. Mechanical Design| Week 2| 2 weeks| Sequential| B| E. Circuit Design| Week 2| 2 weeks| Sequential| C| F. Build Mechanic s| Week 4| 2 weeks| Sequential| D| G. Build Circuit| Week 4| 1 weeks| Sequential| E| H. Construction| Week 6| 1 week| Sequential| F, G| I. Programming| Week 3| 3-4 weeks| Parallel| D, E, F, G, H, | J. Testing| Week 7| 4 weeks| Sequential| H, I| K. Demonstration| Week 11| -| Sequential| J|Table 1 – Gantt Table Summarizing the first table, information should be transferred to the chart. The chart helps visualize all the given tasks and the time given to accomplish them. Week| 0| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| (1) A. High Level Analysis| (1) B. Selection Of Mechanical Design and Components| (1) C. Detailed Analysis of Electronics for Robot| (2) D.Mechanical Design| (2) E. Circuit Design| (2) F. Build Mechanics| (1) G. Build Circuit| (1) H.Construction| (3-4) I. Programming| (4-5) J. Testing| DEMONSTRATION| Chart 1 – Gantt Chart Risk Assessment As everything else, this project has its own risks and possibility of troubles. We cannot stop the problems from happen ing, but we can consider the ways we would manage if they have happened.There are different types of problems which may occur, some with large possibility but manageable damage, some with very little possibility but disastrous damages. The group has come with some ideas about these risks and how to manage them which are as follows: Very possible, low cost and manageable risks Burning the electrical components such as the PIC or the power sources: 1. Keeping good care of the more expensive components, putting them in a position which brings the possibility of the damage to the least possible. 2.Having alternatives for each component, more for the cheap and more burnable ones, less for the more expensive and least burnable ones. Losing the documents, programs or components: 1. Taking good care of where the materials are saved or put, possibly write the places down or share with other group mates in case for memory loss. 2. Having a photo of each page of the written documents, copies o f the electronic stuff on different places, and having a list for the components we have to pack every time. The A plan’s failure : 1. Having a plan Bs and Plan Cs for all the Plan As. . Plan Bs can be for a change in the A plan, but plan Cs are completely different methods in case the whole plan has been a whole of a lot of rubbish. 3. Having the responsible person ready for the plans when the failure comes so that the change can be quick and easy. Running out of time: 1. Having someone responsible for the plans to go as it has been decided in the time management plan, taking care of even slight late results to prevent the sum of smalls becoming a huge delay. 2. Stopping panic attacks or they will cause more delay. 3.Keeping everything simple and tidy in order to make the trouble shooting faster and easier. The plans we have specifically come up with for the Robot project 1. Taking good care of the PIC, having alternatives for all the components. 2. Saving the programs on me mory sticks, computer and email. 3. Keeping pictures of the critical pages of the log book. 4. Having an alternative way of programming for the line detecting bits. 5. Having some options for the components available in case the robot doesn’t work out with them. 6. Having a map of the circuit with all the explanations about wiring and connections. . Keeping the actual circuit nice and tidy, the wires low and the colors right. Components Wish List According to the design decisions, the list of components needed for the project can be made. There are some basic components required in order to accomplish the mechanical, electrical and software design of the robot, such as: * HDPE for the frame and chassis * 2 wheels * 1 skid * 2 DC stepper motors * Sensors * Circuit board * Capacitors, resistors, Diodes, Transistors (referring to the main components) * Microcontroller * LED’s Every group is provided with 40 ? n order to buy the components needed. The table below shows the approximate price estimations: Wheels| ? 2-3| PIC16F648 (2)| ? 4| Sensors (5)| ? 5| HDPE plastic| ? 10| LED’s| ? 5| Screw Box| ? 2| Resistors| ? 2| Capacitors| ? 2| Skid| ? 2-3| Heat Sink| ? 3| Conclusion This project is not only for making line follower race robot but it is also a great and realistic practice for group work and project management. This is a hard challenge and is only possible to manage with co-operation, hard work, motivation and enthusiasm. Each individual member learns how to cope with different opinions and ideas.They learn to be tolerant and do not let anything personal get involved in the work since this may ruin the friendly environment among the group members. By doing this project a lot of skills will be developed such as: * Group work * Time management and working by deadlines * Work break down in equal amount among group members * Decision making * Risk management * Budget management * Working with time limit and in stressful conditions * Starting a project from scratch, developing ideas and making improvements * Undertaking risks and responsibilities * Keeping good and reliable documentation Keeping motivation and encouragement among the group live or dead By the end of this project we will have done a complete project management plan and implementation. We will know how to face troubles and problems and hopefully this is going to be a great memory of how we learnt to manage a real project in practice. References Online Documents: * BASIC ROBOT MECHANICS TUTORIALS, (2005-1012). Society of Robots. Retrieved from http://www. societyofrobots. com/mechanicsbasics. shtml * Priyank PatilDepartment of Information Technology S. W. Nawawi, M. N. Ahmad, J. H.S Osman (2008). â€Å"Real-Time Control of a Two Wheeled Inverted Pendulum Mobile Robot * http://forum. pololu. com/ * * Ooi, Rich Chi (2003). â€Å"Balancing a Two-Wheeled Autonomous Robot†. University of Western Australia. Thesis B. Mechatronics Engineering. * Ong, Yin Chee; Abidin, M. S. B (2006). â€Å"Design and Development of Two Wheeled Autonomous Balancing Robot†, Center for Artificial Intell. ; Robotic (CAIRO), University Technology Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 4th Student Conference on Research and Development (SCOReD 2006), Shah Alam, Selangor, MALAYSIA, 27-28 June, 2006. Vivien Coelho; Stanley Liew; Karl Stol; Guangyu Liu (2008). â€Å"Development of a Mobile Two-Wheel Balancing Platform for Autonomous Applications†. Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Auckland. 15th International conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP08), 2-4 Dec 2008, Auckland, New-Zealand. * Jose Miranda (2009), â€Å"Application of Kalman Filtering and PID Control for Direct Inverted Pendulum Control†. Master Thesis, California State University, Chico Spring 2009. * R. Hollis, â€Å"BallBots,† Scientific American, October 2006.Retrieved February 4, 2009. Available at the World Wide Web: http://www. sciam. com/article. cfm? id=ballbots * Pakdaman, M. ; Sanaatiyan, M. M. (2009), â€Å"Design and Implementation of Line Follower Robot,† Computer and Electrical Engineering, 2009. ICCEE '09. Second International Conference on , vol. 2, no. , pp. 585-590, 28-30 Dec. 2009 * Priyank Patil (2010), â€Å"AVR Line Following Robot,† Department of Information Technology K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering Mumbai, India. Retrieved Mar 5, 2010. Available at: http://www. kmitl. ac. th/~kswichit/ROBOT/Follower. pdf * Swope Design.Inc. , â€Å"Balancing Robots Made Easy†, Available at: http:// www. Balbots. com, 2004. * Miller Peter (2008), â€Å"Building a Two Wheeled Balancing Robot†, University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Engineering and Surveying. Retrieved Nov 18, 2009. Available at: http://eprints. usq. edu. au/6168/ ——————————————– [ 2 ]. Each Group Member [ 3 ]. Statements can be added to this contract upon the entire group’s agreement [ 4 ]. Mobile Robot, Wikipedia website: [http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Mobile_robot] [ 5 ]. http://ikalogic. com/proj_mini_line_folower. php

Miss Essay

Marketing Management Individual Assignment 1. The definition of EPRG orientation and its practice in international companies/local companies * ethnocentric (home-country oriented) An ethnocentric firm views the business from the perspective and values of the home country. Policies and practices are likely to be designed by home-country nationals with little or no variation for international operations. Ethnocentric oriented international companies believe that anything worked at home must also work abroad. For example: Nissan using ethnocentric orientation during its first few years of exporting cars and trucks to the U. S. market. Nissan’s cars were designed for mild Japanese winter, the vehicle were difficult to start in many parts of the U. S. during winter there. In northern Japan many car owners would put blankets over the hoods of their cars. Nissan’s assume that Americans would do the same. * Polycentric (host country-oriented) In contrast with ethnocentric, a polycentric firm operates according to the principle that each country of operation is different. Polycentric is a highly market-oriented. Each market is considered unique, that’s why the marketing mix, product strategies, pricing strategies etc is different for each country. Example: Citicorp’s financial services around the world operated on a polycentric basis. James Bailey, one Citicorp executive, offered this description of the company: â€Å"we were like in a medieval state. There was a king and his court, are they in charge? No. The land barons are who were in charge. King and his court may declare this or that, but the lord barons who went and did their thing to their appointed land. With that statement we can interpret that even the owner of company in headquarter stating this and that, but each country has some differences, and we should makes some changes in order to make our company succeed in other country. * Regiocentric (regionally-oriented) Firm treats a region as a uniform market segment and adapts a similar marketing strategy within region but not across region. For examole: Mc Donald not serving pork and slaughter animals through Halal process only in Middle East and some muslim-dominated countries. * Geocentric (world-oriented) The geocentric approach considers the whole world as a single market and attempts to formulate integrated marketing strategies. The firm recognizes both similarities and differences in cultures and markets. Best practices are adopted on a global basis and adapted for local conditions where necessary. Nestle and other multinational company is using geocentric orientation. Colgate Palmolive is an example for a company which using geocentric approach. It has been operating internationally for 50 years and its products are households in more than 170 countries. 2. The practice of each of the entry modes (exporting, licensing, franchising, contract manufacturing, strategic alliances, joint ventures and foreign directt investment) please provide example for each entry strategy done by each local company and international company * Exporting The home company exports their product to host country company/distributor. It is the safest entry strategy to start expanding company overseas. By exporting we would learn the market situation in overseas market. And it is less risky and less cost than to manufactures the goods in host country. The example of exporting is kecap Bango and bumbu Bamboe in European market, especially French. Kecap Bango and bumbu Bamboe export their goods to Indian and Asian store in France. The target market is of course Indonesian consumer who lives there. Another example is Teh Botol in carton pack, it sells its product by helping of Indonesian embassy in Paris, France. * Licensing In licensing the home firm agrees to permit a company in host country to use the manufacturing, processing, trademark, know-how or some other skill provided by the licensor. For example, Coca Cola give license to United Bottlers to make Coke in Zimbabwe. Franchising A home company which using franchising (franchisor), grants another ( a company or individual) the rights to distribute goods or services using franchisor’s brand and system in exchange for fees. Mc Donalds is known to use franchise as its market strategies through the world. In Indonesia, alfamart and indomaret are using franchising as their strategy. But they still using it within Indonesia not overseas. * contract manufacturing In contract manufacturing the firm decide to enter by contracting a manufacture of its product in target market. In example GAP contract manufacture in developing countries to manufacture and sells them. The products can be made to the conditions and specific requirements of the local market * strategic alliances Strategic alliances firm unite with competitor to pursue a set of assented goals remain independent after the formation of the alliance. The partner firms share the benefits of the alliance and the control of the performance of assigned tasks and the partner firms contribute on a continuing basis to one or more key strategic areas. For example, in 2005 Adidas (a German company) announced its acquisition of Reebok. Mr. Herbert Hainer, the CEO of Adidas, expected to cut costs by 125 million Euros in the next three years by sharing information technology, synergies in sales and distribution, and cheaper sourcing. However, the new combined company will continue to run separate headquarters and sales forces, and keep most distribution centers apart * joint ventures In joint ventures the firms in which two or more investors share ownership and control over property rights and operation. In Zimbabwe, Olivine industries have a joint venture agreement with HJ Heinz in food processing. * foreign direct investment The firm makes a direct investment in a production unit in a foreign market. It is the greatest commitment since there is a 100% ownership. The international firm can obtain wholly foreign production facilities in two primary ways; It can make a direct acquisition or merger in the host market and It can also develop its own facilities from the ground up. Multinational company are already using foreign direct investment, like Nestle in many countries in the world including Indonesia, Unilever, etc

Poverty, What Makes People Poor

The rich, the middle class, and the poor; are described by the way we live and the amount of money one has. There are many different ways of describing what poverty is, whether it is by how you live, how much money you have, or in statistical terms. Poverty isnt always a bad thing it is just another way of living, another way of life. There are different kinds of poverty that you can measure. There is relative poverty that can be measured to the rest of the population. Relative poverty is measuring less than fifty percent than the average income or wealth that a person has. That means that if you make less than half of what the average person makes you are poor. Relative poverty still means that you are able to survive, but not to the standard that most are at. There is also absolute poverty. This means that you are unable to provide the necessary things that you need to survive in your daily life. Things like food shelter and medical attention. This is the measure that has set The Poverty Line developed by the Social Security Administration. The current poverty line is measured at $16,588 for a family of four. The poverty line is measured by the emergency food budget times three. This means that the food that a family needs to survive multiply by three. You must think that the family must pay for their bills, mortgage, and their food with this money. Seventy percent of a families income goes to house them. According to the United States Census Service there are 34.5 million Americans that are poor. This consists of 12.7 percent of the United States population. This is an under estimate of the real poverty rate because the poverty line is very conservative. About eleven million people are just above the poverty line. United States has the highest poverty rate of the worlds industrialize countries. Some people have it worse than other people. For instance women make up two-thirds of the adult poor population. This could be the cause of many things like divorce, and poor job opportunities. Even though the men and the women get divorced the men income still tend to rise. The single parent household that is headed, by a women tend to have a high poverty rate. Twenty nine and nine tenth percent of single parent families are headed by females. African American females are three time to be poor. Black female head 40.8 percent of black households. Women earnings are seventy cents to the dollar to a male worker. Children are also affected by the single parent families and are the cause of high poverty rate. Children make up 26 percent of the United States population. But they make up forty percent of the poor population. This means that 18.9 percent of all children are poor. Fifty five percent of these children are under six years old. The infantalization of poverty is the fastest growing group in poverty. This can be caused by divorce, wedlock, or a death of a parent. Children out of wedlock are more likely to be poor than any other children. There are many myths about poverty that may lead some people on. One myth is that many people think that the poor do not want to work. In reality, 41 percent of the poor worked and 13 percent of the poor work full time. Even though some people can work forty hours a week they still cant make the poverty line. The minimum wage does not keep up with the inflation of the dollar. Only about 3.5 percent of the poor population, can work, but dont. The two earner families are also the fastest growing group in poverty. Another myth is that most people on welfare are cheating the system. This however is not the case, only about five percent actually cheat the system. This is no more than another government program. The United States is not as generous on the welfare system as it is. The fact is that the United States are very stingy about their welfare system compared to other industrialize nations. Another myth is that people live off the welfare system and doesnt want to get off of it. Most people go off of the welfare within the first two years. They dont want to be on welfare, circumstances put them on it. Like lost job, death of spouse, illness, disability, or a child at home. Some people blame the poverty on the person that is poor. Things they may say would be like, they are too lazy to work or they are taking advantage of the system. These people believe in the person blame approach. The person blame approach focuses on social problems stem from pathological defects in an individual. This approach requires a person to be repaired psychologically in order to fix the social problem. The problem with this is that there is no blame on the persons environment and the social system of society. It is very hard to isolate what has happen in a persons life that caused the problem. It is even harder to fix a persons problem. This would require too many more doctors, institutions, and medical facilities To blame the social system is to take the system blame approach. This means that you are blaming the social problems on a government, a society, and anything else that might act on an individual. System blame stems from situations in which individuals are involved. The problem with system blame is that it leaves off all the blame from the individual, saying that they have no agency, or the ability to act on ones own, no free will. The question that no one ever thinks to ask is: If we had no poverty would we still have the same kind of life. The answer is no. Poverty is a necessary form of the economic and social structure. Without poverty our society would most likely break down and inflation would sky rocket. Think if everybody had a job, money and a good standard of living. Wouldnt that make it harder to find and provide jobs. Employers would have to pay outrageous sums of money so the corporation can hire the employee. This would be a disaster because no one would need to stay at their job if there is no competition for it. The will and hard work of the citizens of this country has work to hard to throw it all away. Poverty effects not only the people who have it, but those who dont want it. In conclusion a poor person is not a diseases, not something that is contagious, but a living thing that everybody should think about. Most poor people are not a bad person, but a person that may have ran into some tough times in their life.

Zara spanish clothing company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Zara spanish clothing company - Essay Example The above operational characteristic of Zara is considered as one of its major competitive advantages towards its rivals. The firm has also managed to fully avoid outsourcing, a target that has not been achieved by other retailers. In this context, British retailers, like H&M and Benetton, and USA retailers, like Walmart and J.C. Penny, prefer outsourcing all parts of their supply chain, apart from the quality control phase (Ray 2010, p.324). On the other hand, the above retailers seem to have different competitive priorities from Zara. Indeed, these firms focus more on the development of high quantities of clothes, aiming to avoid sending new ranges to their stores on a daily basis, a common practice in Zara (Gourdin 2006). Rather, they set specific time points for sending new ranges to their stores; these ranges will be appropriately aligned with the market demands, in terms of quantity and quality. There are retailers that have tried to minimize the time spent between the producti on line and the store, like Mango, a Spanish retailer, (Leeman 2010); however, still, the time of response to the customers’ needs is more than in Zara. Keeping the standards of their brand name, meaning the characteristics of their products as of their design and quality, is the key competitive priority for retailers in the particular industry. For Zara, responding to the preferences of customers on a continuous basis is the key strategic priority, as reflected in the firm’s supply chain strategy. Currently, Zara is able to launch a new collection quite rapidly; in fact, the average time required for the firm’s new ranges to reach its stores is about 15 days (Rushton and Walker 2007). Moreover, the firm keeps certain of its facilities spare, meaning its trucks and warehouses, so that it is able to respond to emergent market needs without having to wait for completing a pending order (Mangan, Lalwani

Consumer and Buying Behavior Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Consumer and Buying Behavior - Research Paper Example Marketers are using different means to analyse the factors that affect the consumer behaviour of the target market audience so as to ensure that their product mix is largely in tune with the needs and wants of the consumers. Marketers spend billions towards conducting surveys and reviews and also try to analyse the purchase behaviour in order to capture the mindset of the customers and underline the aspects that help analyse the consumer behaviour of the target market audience. The present study would also try to analyse the consumer behaviour of the customers for the online game ‘Dragon Nest’. The study would particularly try to analyse the factors that customers analyse while making the purchase decision for this type of a product. Literature Review Consumer behaviour is largely a psychological aspect that involves understanding the psychology and the thought process of the consumer undertaken in the minds of the consumer while making a purchase decision. Researchers o ften use the term determinants that are essentially independent variables that effect consumer behaviour. These factors include personality, income levels, level of education, lifestyle as well as peer groups and other social contacts. In addition to this situational aspects form the most important of the aspects that affect the consumer behaviour. Situational aspects include the physical surroundings as well as task definitions and the other physical aspects. These have a critical role in the thought process of the consumers and determine their needs and want and also determine the factors that are evaluated by consumers while making a purchase decision (Shaw, 2001, p.85-90). Figure 1: Determinants of Consumer Behaviour (Source: Shaw, 2001, p.89) The process of purchase decision largely involves the steps of recognising the problem that is succeeded by searching information on the available options, attitudes and lifestyles of the consumers, aligning the information with the aspect s of personality and lifestyles and behaviours and finally evaluating the various available alternatives and options available before them and making a final purchase decision. The behaviour and attitude towards a brand or a product does not end with the final purchase but also includes a post purchase evaluation. This is very important in the present competitive environment where the success of a firm not only comes from its ability to attract new customers but to also retain the existing customers. This aspect also assumes considerable significance in the online social networking age where reviews and feedbacks of peer groups are very pivotal in affecting the psychology of the new and potential customers (Kardes et.al, 2010, p.189). In order to deeply analyse the purchase decisions and consumer behaviour, the Black Box Model of Consumer behaviour can be applied. The figure below shows the model in conceptual form. Figure 2: The Black Box Model of Consumer Behaviour (Source: Sandhu sen, 2008, p.240) The Black Box Model as illustrated above in Figure 2 largely proposes the mindset of the consumer as a black box and includes the characteristics of the consumer as

Repeat Purchases, High and Low Involvement, Organizational Purchasing Assignment

Repeat Purchases, High and Low Involvement, Organizational Purchasing and Consumer Satisfaction - Assignment Example Under business theory, there is always the threat of substitutes in a market, which means that other competing companies will often develop innovations that are similar to an existing product. One can take into consideration a technology brand such as a CD player. Substitute products in the market for this product include mobile smart phones that can sustain music selections or even Apple iPod. If the marketer is unable to get repeat purchases, then there is always the risk of defection to competing substitute products that will, over time, erode profitability. Additionally, establishment of brand loyalty is very important not only to ensure revenues from customer sales but also to outperform competition with similar product offerings and ensure that the life cycle of the product can be sustained. Under the product life cycle model, products move through an introductory stage, a growth stage, a maturity stage and a decline stage depending on how long the marketer can sustain demand f or this product. When a product reaches the decline stage, as consumers no longer demand the product in high volumes, cash management and inventory control become a major strategic problem (Dooley, 2005). By being able to promote a desire to make repeat purchases, it has the ability to extend the life cycle of the product which gives the business opportunities to avoid restructuring its operations and marketing strategies, which can be very costly to the organization. Marketers can prompt repeat purchases in several ways. First, they can use psychographic segmentation and targeting strategies to create long-term connections with the consumer lifestyle, attitudes and behaviors. Some products are not easily differentiated because they have benefits and functions similar to other competing products. Therefore, they use positioning strategies to emphasize one unique characteristic that is different from competing products to let consumers know how the product can enhance their lives, su ch as focusing on premium ingredients in a food product. If the marketer illustrates to the consumer that its product has long-term benefits to enhance the lifestyle and it is promoted more effectively than competing products, there is a much greater chance that the consumer demand for the product will be sustained. For example, some companies will use celebrity endorsements as a means of promoting more interest in a product, using credible and attractive role models that fit the lifestyle characteristics of the target market. Under social learning theory in psychology, celebrity endorsements often promote repeat purchases when such lifestyle connections have been made (Pornpitakpan, 2003). High Involvement and Low Involvement Buying candy from the supermarket in the convenience section near the register represents very low involvement purchase decision-making. When making this decision, there was very little thought about what would be an appropriate product due to two specific fac tors. First, the time frame allowed while the checkout clerk is ringing up the product is very short and therefore, in order to get the product to the register in the allotted amount of time, a rapid decision must be made. Secondly, whether the buyer was hungry or not determines the size, flavor and ultimate choice of the candy product. A fast decision based on fast nutrition needs determines the volume of time selecting the product. A high involvement decision includes shopping for a new flat screen television set. I wanted to have specific features, resolution and was very focused on price as decision-making criteria in this high involvement purchase. During this decision-making process, I compared prices

-- i will send it as file -- Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

-- i will send it as file -- - Essay Example Cultural practices play a crucial role in differentiating given groups of people. Evidently, social structures of a given community greatly depend on the type of culture put into practice by that given community or society to a larger extent. Additionally, different communities cultivate their cultural symbols and values. Cases of communities practicing other communities’ cultural practices keep on surfacing. The underlying reason for the inter-cultural practices is due to the intermarriages and several other interactions. Cultural practices form a basis of each and every community around the world. Different ethnic groups encompass of different ethnic cultures that guide the structural survival of that given society or ethnic group through the years. Many ethnic groups identify those people outside their community as cultural practitioners but only under certain set circumstances. In this content, circumcision among the male child tends to be the cultural practice of choice. In as much as many ethnic groups around the world practice circumcision, various groups perform the practice to meet different goals. Circumcision is essential in ensuring that a given individual moves from one stage of growth to the other. Moreover, once a person undergoes circumcision rights, the person is considered an adult, ready to handle any challenges that arise in the world. The practice remains as one of the most ancient cultural practice in the community. People in the society view circumcision as one of the most crucial cultural practices in the ethnic group. According to the community, circumcision instills discipline into the youth and makes them act in a more mature way compared to when they had not undergone the cut. A circumcised member of the community should be able to handle any challenges or risks and uncertainty arising in the world. Members of the community additionally, view circumcision as one of those cultural

International Marketing Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Marketing Environment - Essay Example 19). In order favorable balance of payment to be achieved, governments do subsidize the exports and impose quotas and high tariffs on imports. Though different countries adopt different strategies to increase the inflow of foreign currency through exporting, most countries facilitate shipping through forwarding agents and provide loans and other facilities as well. Some countries impose navigation policies as well to maximize the inflow of foreign currency and to add up to favorable balance of payment. Trade bloc member countries often enjoy free-trade so that each country can export and import to each other without any barrier to trade like quota, tariff and embargoes. As economist viewed, there can be several levels of economic integration within the free-trade area such as least integrated to most integrated (Hill, 2004, p. 270). Some times, member countries in a free trade area are allowed to determine its own trade policies since all the barriers to trade of goods and services a re removed. The major four levels of economic integration are – 1) Free-trade area, 2) Customs Union, 3) Common market and 4) Complete economic integration. 1-Free trade area, Tariffs are fully removed from the members of the free-trade area and each member country maintains its own external tariffs. 2- Customs Union in which a member-country adds a common external tariff to the Free trade form. 3- Common Market, which is the custom union plus the abolition of restrictions on the mobility of services, people, and capital among member countries. 4- Complete economic integration, in which members nations surrender certain elements of their sovereignty and involves high degree of economic integration (Ball et al 2005, p. 128- 129). 2. Describe the economic and cultural elements of the international marketing environment and explain how these factors affect marketing operations. Socio-cultural and economic elements do normally impact the international business environment as is n ormally evident in the home trade as well. Culture is the sum total of beliefs, rules, techniques, institutions and artifacts that can characterize human populations (Ball, 2005, p. 176). When it comes to international marketing, the culture in different marketing landscape is a critical element that would largely influence the business and its success. While going global, it is highly important that the business should know well all the whereabouts of the culture and socio-cultural elements prevailing in the market in order to understand customer’s specific as well as common attitudes, requirements and approaches to a particular goods or service. In international trade arena, economic elements are perhaps most uncontrollable forces for businesses. Though businesses depend on economic forecasting and other indicators, economic forces have generally been found to be highly fluctuating and more often economic crisis may create greater challenges on the business. GDP, Income dis tribution, GNI, unit cost per labor and the general economic conditions do normally impact the international trade. A marketer going globally is required to assess the economic conditions in the country and structure his marketing operations accordingly. 3. Summarize the major political and financial risks associated with international marketing. Hill (2004, p79) defined political risk as the likelihood that political forces cause changes in a country’

The Appeal of Horror Movies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The Appeal of Horror Movies - Essay Example Horror movies have a cathartic effect on the viewer. Many fears, suppressed in real life because of the expected ridicule from peers, can be given vent to at the film: Arachnophobia permits a boy to scream aloud and give vent to his very real fear of spiders. Horror movies also give the viewer emotional escape from real-world anxieties, such as unemployment or debt. Â  Horror movies provide an opportunity to exhibit gender roles. Men can show that they are not afraid, while girls are free to act quintessentially ‘feminine.’ There is also the social satisfaction of belonging to a group which exhibits similar reactions. Most often, horror movies are viewed in a group. Â  Horror movies satisfy a very real need in humans. The stimulation of the senses gives a keenness to mundane lives; suppressed emotions find expression; there is an escape from the stress of the real world; social bonding is facilitated. It is obvious that horror movies satisfy a basic need in humans. Long live Horror Films! Â  From the time of Icarus, man has always dreamt of flying like the birds. This dream became a reality with the Wright Brothers, and travel by air is now very much a part of modern life. Air travel has improved life through the speed of transport, but has the negative effect of increasing global warming and adding to man’s destructive capabilities. Â  One undeniable benefit of air travel is the factor of speed. This speed is a great advantage for the emergency transport of both people and goods, particularly in inaccessible terrain. People can be rescued from disaster zones, airlifted for medical aid, and save time on travel. Perishable goods, medical supplies, and relief can be transported rapidly to areas of need.

Job cover letter (job application letter) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Job cover letter (job application letter) - Essay Example Diamond and Cessna and can perform 3 different types of Cessna inspections at work within a team in a safety manner. My A&P mechanic knowledge and 3 different types of engine overhaul experiences closely matches your job requirements and A&P mechanic tasks. I can easily handle the job requirements i.e. perform aircraft maintenance and/or repairs in accordance with HAECO Airframe Services, FAA, and customer standards of quality. In a short period, I have shown my ability to various work experience assisting with maintenance operations control with a chief mechanic for flight schools Cessna. I have knowledge in design techniques, knowledge of materials and A&P mechanic tasks typical services like annual and 100-hour inspection, and engine overhauls. I can take up any duties and complete teamwork within future workers. I would be interested in fall position and it would be an honor to work at your company. I welcome the opportunity to discuss any possible mechanic position with you. Am looking forward to a positive consideration. Please feel free to call me at ******** or by email at *********edu. I have hereby attached my CV. Thank you in

Diary Entry Exploring a Girls Struggle with Self-Worth Essay Example for Free

Diary Entry Exploring a Girls Struggle with Self-Worth Essay This morning, just like any other morning, I dreaded waking up again. I had to join reality, but I didn’t feel presentable to the world. I never do. A few months ago, someone told me I was pretty. I asked him to stop flattering me, I didn’t believe him anyway. I wish I could. I wish I could just be myself. I wish I could relax and feel normal. I wish I could just be secure. I wish I could feel good enough. But I don’t. Not by a long shot. I cannot believe I’m pretty. My hair is fluffy, I’ve got spots on my way too big nose, my skin is dry†¦ Those things are not the factors that define someone pretty. Those factors make me ugly. I have always had problems with people. From an early age, I learned that it’s not OK to be myself. My body, my face, my clothes, my words, my movements, nothing was good enough. It started off with my parents, continued with my classmates in primary school and has not stopped until now, high school. I was, am and will always be the ugly one. The stupid one. The wrong one. I am being bullied day and night, online and in person, verbally and mentally. There’s no one on my side, so it’s me against the world. They make up rumors, and I’m the one that’s in tears. They never think of anyone else except themselves. At first, I tried to fight back, but I soon found out that only makes it worse. Any word I say, gives them something new to dupe me. So, I decided to pretend I’m strong. And happy. My grades are at an all time low, but my morals are even lower. The only thing I do, is trying to make it through another day. I remember any insult that came out of their mouths, although I tried to erase them from my brain. Somehow, everyone of their twisted words manages to stay burned into my mind. Every snicker, every dirty look, every nasty word, holds a special place in my mind. But that place is not a happy place. It’s dark in there, unhappy and extremely miserable. It is kept under lock and key. You can never have your guard up all the time. You can never pretend you’re always strong. You can never always pretend your life isnt crumbling around you. You can never fake true happiness. Its like walking on broken glass. By now, I am so broken down, I’m losing it. I just want to disappear. I lost my will to live. To fight another day in that devastating world, is the last thing I want. I hate myself and feel incredibly stupid all the time, a feeling that never leaves me alone. I always wake up in the same miserable life. Then back to school. When I walk down the hallway, it is always a battle with my tormentors. People I once deemed friends and people I barely know yell mean things to me, in a way everyone can hear. Everyone makes up their audience. Perfect for them. Horrible for me. Getting back home isn’t any better. It’s even worse. My parents, my brother, my sisters. They are meant to love me, but all they do is making me feel even more insecure. Whatever I do, it’s never good enough. I try so hard to satisfy them, but I never succeed. It’s wearing me out. No one ever knows how miserably I really feel. I hate looking in the mirror. I hate what I see. I hate the sound of my own voice. I never before experienced a group of people trying so hard, to be so mean. To a girl. A girl like me. A girl like me should be loved. Most girls are. But somehow, that just isn’t for me. I’m not cut out for this thing called life. At first, I deemed it bad luck. Now I know better. It is my own fault, I am the ugly one. The stupid one. The wrong one. So, today, I took a pocket knife and I did it. I deserved it. In a way, it was relieving too. For a little ten seconds, I just stared at the blood running down my arm, on my hand, to my fingers and dripping off their tips. Fascinating. For that little ten seconds, I didn’t feel anything. I just loved to see the blood running down and down, to eventually leave my hand via my finger tips. It was like my misery ran down with the blood. What a disappointment after my ten seconds. I’d have loved to stay like that forever. But I needed to get back to real life, just like waking up every morning. Somehow, there must be a way to be in my own ten seconds forever. They wouldn’t care anyway.

Principles of the early years framework Essay Example for Free

Principles of the early years framework Essay Essay about the purposes and principles of the early years framework. The legal regulations under section 39 of the childcare act 2006 gives the early years foundation stage (EYFS) , that came into force in Sept. 2008 and providers are required to use the EYFS to ensure a flexible approach to children’s learning and development so that children will achieve the five every child matters outcomes which are : * Staying safe* Being healthy * Enjoying and achieving * Making a positive contribution * Achieving economic well- being In 2012 the EYFS was revised and made simpler and came into force on 1st sept, it made a number of changes and one of these was to make a stronger emphasis on the 3 prime areas which are the most important to a child’s healthy development these areas are: * Communication and language development* Physical and personal development * Social and emotional development The statutory framework for the EYFS give clear legal requirements to relate to learning and development and also relating to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare, suitable people i. e. keyworkers, suitable premises, environment and equipment and organisation and documentation. The learning and development requirements have legal force by EYFS order 2007 from section 39(1) (a) of the childcare act 2006. The welfare requirements are given legal force by section 39(1) (b) of childcare act 2006. Together they form the legal basis of the EYFS and have statutory virtue of section 44(1) of the childcare act 2006. Practice guidance for the early year’s foundation stage gives practitioners guidance on how to meet the necessary requirements to the EYFS framework. It provides advice and information on how to support children’s learning and development and welfare. Also you can get guidance for children’s development in a section called development matters and this gives help and information to help practitioners to understand and support children in development pathways which are: * Personal, social and emotional development * Communication, language and literacy * Problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy * Knowledge and understanding of the world * Physical development * Creative development * Every child is different they are all individual in their own right and all children varied needs. Meeting every child’s needs can be difficult even though they are grouped with other children their age. Many children will meet their development needs expected for their age but others will have needs which are characteristic of much younger or older children. We must recognise the child’s needs and meet children’s development needs to help them achieve. We must consider each child’s physical maturity, intellectual abilities, emotional development, social skills, past experiences and relationships. Respecting children and help them to develop in a positive, caring, nurturing and responsive childcare environment. Throughout history we have had people that stood up and fort for young children’s needs and these people have influenced the UK current early years provisions. * Fred Froebel (1782-1852) founded the first kindergarten and learned that it was important for children to get involved in real experiences which meant being physically active. He believed that everything was linked and called the principle of unity and also principle of opposition or ‘gifts’. * Maria Montessori (1870- 1952) worked with children with learning difficulties in Rome Italy. She spent hours observing children and found that children go through sensitive periods of development when they are particularly receptive to particular areas of learning. She saw children as active learners. * Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) believed in three phases of childhood. The will, 0 to 7 years he said the spirit fuses the body at this stage. The heart, 7 to 14 years a rhythmic system of the beating heart and the chest that respiratory system meant that felling was important during this time. The head, 14 years and onwards was the time for thinking. * Margaret McMillan (1860-1931) believed I first-hand experience and active learning she said that relationships, feeling and ideas were all physical aspects of moving and learning, she believed children would become whole people through play which helped them apply knowledge and understanding. * Susan Isaacs (1885-1948) valued play she believed it gave children freedom to think, feel and relate to others. She said that children can’t in just classrooms sat at tables and write they need to move around and explore to learn too. * The Reggio Emilia approach had a number of key features that attracted worldwide attention these were: Community support and parental involvement. Administrative policies and organisational features. Teachers as learners. The role of the environment. Long-term projects as vehicles for learning. The hundred languages of children. * The highScope approach encourages children to make their own choice of activities. It encourages active and independent learning by involving children in the planning, doing and reviewing. They still have some adult- directed activities such as story- time and PE but they work around the plan – do – review cycle of planning its key features are Active learning Personal initiative Consistency Genuine relationships Building a strong partnership with parents Appropriate curriculum.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Esearch English Language Essay

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Esearch English Language Essay Abstract The purpose of this research is going to evaluate the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. The research is based on lists of literature review that refer to the academic search engine or online learning resources acquiring. The primary research conducts by a questionnaire. The sample mainly comes from students who study at Nottingham Trent International College and try to find out a reasonable result. The sample size is twenty-eight student of NTIC. The findings unveil that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh the disadvantages for the NTIC students. There were total 96% respondents have thought eSearch style is important for academic information acquiring. There were twenty-six respondents think the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh the disadvantages. This finding may help students who study at NTIC to know and use the eSearch on the NTU website. Introduction This is a research project report. It attempts to find out some significance about using academic search engine such eSearch on the NTU website. Probably, some NTIC students do not know what exactly function and action does eSearch has. Hopefully, the prospective finding may be a beneficial and helpful guidance for NTIC students. Background The development of information and communication technology started from 1970s. In the past two decades, the applications based on information and communication technology has made great progress in actual applications. In this day and age, information and communication technology is developing rapidly. There are varieties of electronic applications based on the Internet and computer. For example, the search engine such as Google, that plays a very vital role in present work, study, amusement and everywhere in life. However, for some academic research area, general search engine is not very good for academic purpose (Golian, 2000). Accordingly, an academic search engine such as eSearch application of Nottingham Trent University (NTU) website come out. Students can obtain abundant academic resources and do the research by this kind of web based software. Such academic search engines have became more and more popular among numerous learning institutions. Hypothesis and Research Problem In terms of students of Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), looking for a valid and reliable academic information resource is a very important thing for those who is doing a research project or just for an essay purpose. My hypothesis is that to use eSearch probably is a better way for students who would like to obtain academic information resources. Therefore, my research question is that whether the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students or not. Aim and Objectives This research will conduct by a questionnaire. The overall aim of this research is intended to evaluate the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. The outcome of this research will be a guide of using the eSearch, especially for those who still do not know what the eSearch application is. As for explicit objectives of this work, it will focus on: To find out what benefits of use of eSearch has of value to NTIC students. To investigate why NTIC students use eSearch engine on NTU website. To indicate to what extend the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. Literature Review In point of fact, the eSearch is a web-based and academic search engine. The main purpose of this literature review is going to provide an overview that explores some evidence of primary research or book into the use of academic search engines, which will relate to the eSearch and selected research question area. The literature review is going to divide into two sections. At the first section, it will look at what advantages and disadvantages of use of academic search engine have been referred to and what is still not mentioned. At the second section, it will look at some actual use and relative reason that students use academic search engine. The advantages and disadvantages of the eSearch The eSearch application can be used in the field of information gathering and subject research. There are many research finding shown that the use of academic search engine has advantages and disadvantages. Kruse (2004) argues that eSearch provides a fast and convenient way that learners obtain useful information resources. Ma (2006) agrees with him and he also indicates that the learning by eSearch can be lifetime learning with the low cost. In fact, the essence of eSearch belongs to the scope of e-learning system. Holmes and Gardner (2006) argue that e-learning style based on web or other information and communication technology, the learners can learn what they want to learn by internet. Meanwhile, some finding also showed the disadvantages of use of academic search engine. Kruse (2004) considers that sometimes there are some technical issues that the possibility of obtaining wrong information when using eSearch application access to the resources, which will waste time. Moreover, Allen (2003) mentions that the e-learning system is faultiness, which lack of effective and collaborative learning and so much research research by e-learning way that results a pool performance. In spite of these literature mentioned are both advantages and disadvantages of using eSearch style, all finding are surface and general, which seems just about the way that acquires information by web based application like eSearch is good or bad. The scope of data collection is very broad. They did not focus on a special group and mention any advantages or disadvantages of using eSearch application that relate to students who want to obtain academic information resources, especially for those who want to know whether advantages of using eSearch to do a research project outweigh disadvantages among the NTIC. This seems like that more work need to do in this specific area. The practical use of eSearch At present, the academic search engine as a common practice is likely playing vital role in a majority of learning institutions. On the one hand, Allen (2003) points that many students obtain information by using eSearch style because it is more flexible and interesting for their learning. On the other hand, Allen also mentions that some students think that eSearch applicatons are boring, useless, a weak searching function that cannot access useful resources after they tried eSearch applications. In spite of that, the eSearch application is still play an active role on learning of research. In practical case, positive attitudes are more than negative attitudes (Burgess, 2007). It seems like that the development of information and communication technology lead to an inevitable outcome. However, their finding did not mention that how important or useful when using an eSearch application to do a academic research. Furthermore, due to eSearch style can get academic information resources validly and reliably, many libraries of learning institutions develop electronic library as an academic information research tool. Gibbons (2007) argues that the academic library is based on Web 2.0 with abundant academic information resources, which can simply search a book or other academic information. Meanwhile, Gibbons highlights that eSearch style provides wonderful chance for students who live in the web generation. Nevertheless, all previous results just show obtaining academic information resources by eSearch style is recommended, but for NTIC students, there is no research finding to show that the advantages of using eSearch on NTU website outweigh disadvantages. Probably, this gap will be filled by this research. Methodology This section is going to state what research method was choose for the data collection of this research and how to administer it. Research methodology is not only about what methods the study use, the logic behind the method is quite important as well and it also need to explain why the particular method was selected and why did not choose others (Kumar, 2008). Method of Data Collecting A questionnaire that based on chosen topic area has been used for data collection. This is main and unique method of data collection this research used. Others like interview or observation have been considered, however, due to lack of times, those are complex method for this research. To use those way, which are harder to administer and probably will cost more time. Therefore, in order to collect suitable information immediately and efficiently. The questionnaire was chosen. To see how good the questionnaire done, which is a relatively appropriate way for the purpose that collecting useful information among students who study at NTIC. Questionnaire Administering The questionnaire of this research was administered via both email and face to face way. These two ways are both work well. To deliver questionnaires via face to face way, it seems like an optimum approach to get the information of the research back. In fact, sometimes to ask questions and get answers from others especially those who are stranger and do not know where do their answers going. They not only worry about the security of some privacy but also introverted when face to a stranger. Forasmuch there is a little difficult via face to face way, in order to supply a deficiency, some questionnaires sent via email. The respondents randomly came from the email list of NTIC students. Description of Questionnaire There are thirteen questions in the questionnaire (appendix 1) and include two question types. Most of questions are list question. There were nine questions are list, which gave several or more choices for respondents. Other four questions are scale question, which provide different stages of scaling for respondents. There were four important questions out of thirteen on the questionnaire. They were numbers 6, 7, 8 and 11 on the questionnaire. The most important question was number 11. The aim of this question was to indicate to what extend the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. This question was asked because the answer may provide very useful information from NTIC students, which was concentrated on the research question area. Questionnaire Piloting There were some worth the whistle information when the questionnaire was piloted. The questionnaire was given to thirty people. The people were students at NTIC. Among these thirty students, there were twenty-eight returned the questionnaire back. The twenty-eight respondents were from different levels at the NTIC. Why those two people who did not accept the questionnaire? The reason is that one of them had been answered too many questionnaire at the same time. Another one accepted the questionnaire by email but did not return it. Probably due to he has no enough time to do. Anyway, twenty-eight available questionnaires were available. In addition, some respondents mentioned that per questionnaire spent about time 3 minutes and the question type and layout of the questionnaire are acceptable. However, there were one person mentioned that there were one question is not appreciate for the data collecting about this research question. It was question 10. This question talked about lectures and trainings for the use of eSearch engine by NTU or NTIC. He thought this question is unnecessary because the research question is about balancing advantages and disadvantages. Why asking question about training. I have checked this question. I think this is a useful question because the answer is how essential eSearch trainings are. If most people think the eSearch training is essential, which means using eSearch is important. This answer could affect the final finding. Sampling Strategy In order to carry out a significative finding from based on the research question, a sampling technique will be considered. The questionnaire was focus on students who study at NTIC. At the beginning of this research, the whole NTU was considered. However, this is too broad way to collect data for the research area. NTIC students as a representative of the NTU as a whole, they use the eSearch engine on the NTU website as well. To choose this group would be better than choose whole NTU, because the collected data is available for the chosen research area, and it is also easier to reach this group at different level then produce a good sample. Ethical Considerations The privacy issue had been considered. Indeed, a research problem based on human activities has been virtually involved in some ethical issues (Bernard, 2000). Furthermore, the trust issue is important as well. These issues will cause valid and reliable of data collected. Hence, an anonymous survey was adopted. Findings and Discussion This section is going to carry out findings for the research question. Following data analysis and discussion was based on the primary research. Figure 1 shows that there were twenty-eight NTIC students use online search engine to acquire information, which means all respondents were using online search engine although they were different majors and taking different programmes. It can be seen that there were twenty students use online search engine, who are taking graduate diploma programme. There were five diploma students and three foundation students use online search engine. It is clearly to see that graduate diploma students use online search engine were more than both diploma and foundation students. There is a strong possibility that graduate diploma students who are preparing for the master course, which means their work need to do more research and then they searching online intended to acquire more information. Furthermore, we can see that diploma students more than foundation students, which probably due to the degree of diploma higher than foundation and they did more research than foundation. If so, it seems like that the result just demonstrated the previous speculation. As for business students, there were five students use online search engine to acquire information but there were no statistical figures refer to diploma and foundation students. It is likely not business students of taking diploma and foundation programme did not use online search engine but probably due to the questionnaire did not reached diploma and foundation group at business field. The top group of using online search engine was computing students. There were nine students responded yes in total. In comparison with media students, statistics were quite similar and just a little less than computing students. There were eight students responded yes in total. Most respondents belong these two groups. The possible reason is that they are both IT guys. Media students probably were a little bit weaker in computer and Internet operating skills. There were three students who taking law programme use online engine to acquire information and same number in other students group, which is the least statistics in this survey. There were two students are graduated diploma students, which have about 66% of total. Only one diploma student was marked. Maybe graduate diploma students need to do more research and then they use online search engine to acquire information. Totally, all respondents use online search engine to acquire information. Although the proportion of graduate diploma students is more than others, this is not the focus of the research project. The key finding from this figure is likely that everyone need to use online search engine regardless of what programme the student does. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that students could benefit more from using search engine to acquire information. This pie chart shown the proportion of different attitudes that how important to NTIC students is accessing academic learning resources by an eSearch engine. It can be seen that the rate of important is quiet high than others. Many NTIC students thought using eSearch engine accessing academic learning resources is important. The proportion reached 67%. This is the highest number. Probably these respondents use eSearch engine on the NTU website frequently because they think it is important for their learning. Meanwhile, there were 18% respondents think accessing academic learning resources by an eSearch engine is very important. Although the number is not in the top, it still reached the second. Combining with the rate of thinking eSearch is important, which likely means there were majority of respondents who prefer using eSearch engine to obtain academic learning resources. Regarding to others, the proportion of respondents who thinking the use of eSearch is slightly important has 11%. Maybe there are some technical issues leads to those who think eSearch is slightly important. Only 4% respondents think that is not important by eSearch engine to acquire academic learning resources. It seems they just do not care it instead of never use it. According to the figure 2, total 96% respondents have thought eSearch style is important for academic information acquiring. Merely the extent of importance of using eSearch displayed different levels. An realistic estimate would be that using eSearch on the NTU website to access academic learning resources is a important way for NTIC students who writing a academic essay or doing a research project. Further speculation would be that using eSearch might have more beneficial and helpful than without it. From figure 3 we can see the numbers of respondents which balancing the advantages of using eSearch and disadvantages. It shows the rate which NTIC students think the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages by three different programme groups that include foundation, diploma and graduate diploma. There were total seventeen graduate diploma students, five diploma students and six foundation students. Almost all respondents consider that the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages for NTIC students. There were only few thoughts (one graduate diploma students and one foundation students) of respondents between these two extremes. And there was nobody thinks the disadvantages of using eSearch outweght advantages. There were five graduate diploma students believe that using eSearch engine possess absolute advantages, the disadvantages could be ignored. There were one diploma and two foundation students who think the advantages of using eSearch is undoubted. This statistical range is not a topmost but it shown nearly more than 28% of respondents who strongly affirmed the advantages of using eSearch. Maybe their feeling of dependence to the Internet is strong and seems they use eSearch frequently. There were eighteen respondents picked extent four, which means they agree with that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh disadvantages. This is not absolute but somewhat. These statistical numbers were more than half of total respondents. The numbers of graduate diploma students reached a peak at this range. There were eleven respondents choose somewhat advantages for using eSearch. Probable reason is that most respondents came from graduate diploma students just less numbers of respondents who taking other programme. Respondents who taking diploma and foundation programme have five people, which four were diploma students and three of were foundation students. Taking one with another, respondents who think absolute advantages eSeach has, the numbers raised about one-third of total numbers of respondents. Adding the two together, there were twenty-six respondents think that the use of eSearch has advantages. This is an overwhelming majority. There is a strong possibility that most NTIC students recognized the advantages of using eSearch on the NTU website, which probably due to the use of eSearch is beneficial and helpful regardless the concerns. From description of statistics and discussion above, the research incessantly deepened. It first looked at the current circumstance of NTIC students using online search engine to acquire information. And then, it analysed the practical using of eSearch. Finally, it took the focus to whether the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages. This part had done its task and gradually unveiled the answer of the research question. Conclusion and Recommendations In this research, the main finding was that most of the NTIC students who came from three different programme groups recognize that the advantages of using eSearch engine outweigh disadvantages. By the literature review, it has been found that many researchers or authors have had some different viewpoint about using the online search engine such as eSearch is an important way to acquire academic information resources. Some people argued that academic search engines have clear advantages and using this way to access academic learning resources is an effective measure. Some disagree. Anyway, it can be understood because things always have advantages and disadvantages. This mainly depends on which way can be looked firstly. Or depends on which area can be used in. Whatever which argument, it was only focus on a surface of using search engine or not even just describe the search engine as a product. There was no any findings been found, which focus on a particular area or learning groups. Come back to the research question of this study, the purpose of this research has been carried out. Eventually, the questionnaire unveiled this finding. Most of respondents who came from NTIC gave distinct responses. They use online search engine as well as eSearch engine on the NTU website frequently. Furthermore, the main limitation of this research is limited method of data collecting. There were two reasons caused this limitation. On the one hand, there was no plenty of time to do more research. To design a comprehensive methodology that can be used in data collecting. Now, due to lack of time, the research just simply distributed questionnaire. There was no enough testing for reliability and validity of data. If the time for researching is sufficient, respondents can be divided into different group. There were foundation, diploma and graduate diploma. More segmentation according to different major groups might be feasible. Particularly, the finding was displayed clearly on the graduate diploma students of the NTIC. It is likely to recommend those students who need to do more research and then they may use eSearch engine on the NTU website and benefit from it. They probably experienced the advantages of using eSearch outweigh the disadvantages. Maybe it was truth already and everybody knows that but nobody to prove it. Therefore, the finding could be specific for those who want to use academic search engine to acquire useful information conveniently and effectively. In addition, it can be guidance toward NTIC students and especially for those who still do not what is eSearch.

Arguments of Christopher Browning versus Daniel John Goldhagen Regardin

Arguments of Christopher Browning versus Daniel John Goldhagen Regarding The German View of the Holocaust The arguments of Christopher Browning and Daniel John Goldhagen contrast greatly based on the underlining meaning of the Holocaust to ordinary Germans. Why did ordinary citizens participate in the process of mass murder? Christopher Browning examines the history of a battalion of the Order Police who participated in mass shootings and deportations. He debunks the idea that these ordinary men were simply coerced to kill but stops short of Goldhagen's simplistic thesis. Browning uncovers the fact that Major Trapp offered at one time to excuse anyone from the task of killing who was "not up to it." Despite this offer, most of the men chose to kill anyway. Browning's traces how these murderers gradually became less "squeamish" about the killing process and delves into explanations of how and why people could behave in such a manner. Goldhagen's book however, has the merit of opening up a new perspective on ways of viewing the Holocaust, and it is the first to raise crucial questions about the extent to which eliminationist anti-Semitism was present among the German population as a whole. Using extensive testimonies from the perpetrators themselves, it offers a chilling insight into the mental and cognitive structures of hundreds of Germans directly involved in the killing operations. Anti-Semitism plays a primary factor in the argument from Goldhagen, as it is within his belief that anti-Semitism "more or less governed the ideational life of civil society" in pre-Nazi Germany . Goldhagen stated that a "Demonological anti-Semitism, of the virulent racial variety, was the common structure of the perpetrators' cognit... ...d in is own home. He was found by Soviet men in his home and taken to Siberia, because he was too young, in their point of view, to not be a member of the Nazi party. This is a man that Goldhagen cannot say is a fanatic anti-Semite and because of his own story to me I cannot deem the entire German population to be Goldhagen's 'ordinary Germans'. It is not an easy debate and will probably never be one but I would hope that someone could see that we cannot say something about an entire population. We would have to look at each member individually and then I am sure that we would find that some were those 'ordinary men', that Browning believed and some were the 'ordinary Germans' that Goldhagen believed in. Bibliography: Browning, Christopher R., Ordinary Men. Harper Perennial,New York, 1993 Goldhagen, Daniel Jonah. Random House, Inc. New York, 1996