Signal Conditioning Characteristics Engineering Essay

This study presents the design, execution of a room temperature lumberman which measures temperature, and logs in informations utilizing a clip specified by the user in seconds. It besides shows the consequence and analysis of noise nowadays in the system. The temperature is sensed utilizing a type K thermocouple whose end product is fed through an AD595 signal conditioner which performs cold junction compensation, linearization and elaboration. A hardware filter is so created to filtrate the signal coming out from the AD595 signal conditioner. A data acquisition card is provided which takes the end product of the signal and converts it from parallel into digital signifier and presents the informations to the computing machine system running LabView Virtual Instrumentation package. The LabVIEW Virtual Instrumentation plan so digitise electromotive force by executing noise analysis utilizing power spectral denseness, and change over the electromotive force signals into temperature. Th e LabView VI besides provides a block diagram where the instruments are placed, and a forepart panel which provides graphical and numerical temperature show to the user and shops the temperature over clip in a file on the computing machine. High and Low temperature set points are provided with an dismay system to supply audiovisual warnings accompanied with a honking sound to the user if temperature deviates from the set points. The most popular transducer for mensurating temperature is the thermocouple. It is one of the simplest of all detectors ; it is an cheap, rugged device that can run over a really broad scope of temperatures. The thermocouple besides has alone signal conditioning demands. Thermocouples operate on the rule that the junction of two dissimilar metals generates a electromotive force that varies with temperature. The end product is a little electromotive force measured between the two wires ( National Instruments, 2010 ) Figure1: Thermocouple ( culled from www.capgo.com/Resources/Temperature/Thermocouple/thermocouple.html ) The thermocouple Acts of the Apostless as a temperature detector and it produces a comparatively little end product electromotive force. To show a more feasible consequence from electromotive force, signal conditioning is required by either linearizing or amplifying. The thermocouple used is a type K which consists of chromel and alumel. In order to input the information from the thermocouple into a computing machine, vitual instrumentality is used to treat the signal by utilizing suited package which generates studies and consequences. The thermocouple ( which is a transducer ) converts temperature to voltage and a information acquisition board is so used to change over the parallel signals into digital signals which are so fed to the computing machine. The DAQ acquisition package ( Labview VI ) converts the digital signals into graphical indexs utilizing the front panel and block diagrams. Display charts are so placed to reexamine the signal acquired.1.1 AIMThe purpose of this study is to bring forth a Labview VI to get temperature informations from the thermocouple ( Type K ) , runing from 20A °C – 50A °C ; supplying valid instantaneous numerical informations, an dismay option ( Tmax – Tmin ) , a graphical end product and a file storage option. The study presents a brief theory subdivision, the following subdivision discusses the experimental apparatus ( with the package filter and hardware filter ) , processs and design considerations, so the consequences are produced, and so the decision.2. Theory2.1 ThermocoupleA thermocouple is a type of temperature detector, with its circuit holding at least two junctions ; the measuring junction and a mention junction. The mention junction is created where the two wires connect to the measurement device. The measurement junction is the terminals of the two wires, but because they are assumed to be at the same temperature ( isothermal ) they are considered as one ( thermal ) junction. The end product electromotive force is related to the temperature difference between the measuring and the mention junctions. This is known as the Seebeck consequence. The Seebeck consequence generates a little electromotive force along the length of a wire, and is greatest where the temperature gradient is greatest ( Capgo, 2010 ) .2.2 SIGNAL CONDITIONING & A ; CHARACTERISTICSDetector Electrical CHARACTERISTICS SIGNAL CONDITIONING REQUIREMENT Thermocouple Low-tension end product. Low sensitiveness. Nonlinear end product. Reference temperature detector ( for cold-junction compensation ) . High elaboration Linearization. Table 1: Electrical Features and Basic Signal Conditioning Requirements ( culled from hypertext transfer protocol: //zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/4084 # toc2 ) . The thermocouple has its assorted features and ensuing signal conditioning demands ( as shown above ) . The choice of a peculiar solution nevertheless depends on the size of one ‘s pocket, development velocity, elaboration factor and linearization. A simple solution is by utilizing an IC bit ( such as the AD595 ) which provides signal conditioning, cold junction compensation, high electromotive force addition ( elaboration ) and compensates for non one-dimensionality of the thermocouple signal. It has been preconfigured to supply a electromotive force end product relative to temperature ( 10mV/A °C ) straight from type J/K thermocouple signals. The device is packaged in a 14 pin DIL IC bit. It operates utilizing a broad supply electromotive force scope +5 to 30V.2.2 DATA ACQUISITION ( DAQ )Data acquisition involves garnering signals from measuring beginnings and digitising the signals for storage, analysis, and presentation on a Personal computer. The intent of informations a cquisition is to mensurate an electrical or physical phenomenon such as electromotive force, current temperature, force per unit area, or sound. The PC-based informations acquisition system is defined by its application demands by geting, analyzing and showing information. Data acquisition systems integrated signals, detectors, actuators, signal conditioning, informations acquisition devices and applications package. Figure 2: PC-based Data Acquisition ( culled from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ni.com/dataacquisition/whatis.htm )3. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP AND PROCEDURE3.1 EXPERIMENT ( WITH HARDWARE FILTER )Figure 3: Block diagram for Experiment with hardware filter.3.1.1 HARDWARE FILTER SELECTIONBecause the signal passing through the system is low ( i.e. 10mv/A °C ) a lowpass filter is used to observe the signal passing through. Due to the creative activity of the filter ( hardware ) a cut-off frequence has to be set in order to find the value for the capacitance and the resistance to be used, i.e. utilizing a RC filter. Figure 4: RC filter. To find the resistance and capacitance to be used the expression for a RC filter is used, such that ; Where C = electrical capacity, which was given at 0.1A µF, R= Resistance, and = Cut-off Frequency. The cut-off frequence is defined as the frequence below which the addition drops 3dB ( National Instruments, 2009 ) . A cut-off frequence of 4Hz was chosen. Therefore at a cut-off frequence of 4Hz, and a electrical capacity of 0.1A µf, we have the opposition at ; R = 397.89Ka„ ¦ .3.1.1 CIRCUIT CONNECTIONFor the circuit connexion, a type K thermocouple and a pre-calibrated signal conditioner AD595 were supplied. The circuit for thermocouple conditioning was built utilizing a veroboard. Figure 5: Thermocouple Signal Conditioning Circuit with a beltway for the hardware filter ( Culled from Analogue Devices Monolithic Thermocouple Amplifiers with Cold Junction Compensation AD594/AD595 Datasheet ) . A hardware filter is connected to the end product of the AD595 at pin 8, such that the signal is been filtered before come ining into the DAQ. The positive terminus of the end product is connected to the linear channel on the DAQ, which provides the filtered signal. Besides, at pin 8 the junction of the AD595 and the hardware filter, signal is tapped out, which is connected to another parallel channel on the DAQ, which provides the unfiltered signal. The common or signal land is connected to the linear channel land. Besides, pin 11 with an end product of +5V was connected to the DAQ, to feed a electromotive force beginning to the system. The connexion manner used is the referenced individual ended ( RSE ) because the full negative terminuss are common ( i.e. grounded ) . Double ended input harmonizing to informations sheet of the thermocouple signal conditioning unit ensures really low degree of noise. The end product provided readings for when the signals are filtered and unfiltered .3.1.2 DAQ CONFIGURATIONThe matching of input electromotive force scope to end product electromotive force scope of transducer is required to take advantage of the DAQ ‘s declaration. From the AD595, the end product electromotive force per temperature is 10m/A °C, hence, the end product electromotive force scope of the transducer at Tmin = 0A °C is 0V and at Tmax = 50A °C is 500m. A scene of Vmin = 0 and Vmax = 1V will be sufficient because the input electromotive force rang to the DAQ is non expected to swing above 1V. Figure 6: DAQ Configuration3.2 VI ProgramA practical instrument plan is made up both the front panel and the block diagram. The front panel acts as the user interface to the measuring systems and it contains controls and indexs. A VI was created to analyze and expose temperature signal. Graphic indexs are required to see and analyze the information. The figure below shows the VI for analysis. Figure 7: Block diagram of signal analysis and thermometer measuring Figure 8: Block diagram of informations file and temperature lumberman. Figure 9: Front panel demoing the signal wave form, and temperature reading From Figure 7, since there is an in reinforced filter ( the hardware filter ) , the end product signal from the DAQ is split into two parts incorporating a filtered signal, and an unfiltered signal ( which was tapped out ) . Both signal are connected to the spectral measuring which analysis the input signal and provides a PSD ( Power Spectral Density ) , which plots the Power against frequence, and it ‘s suited for analysing the noise in the signal. In order to obtain the temperature readings from the thermocouple, a thermometer is placed such that readings from the end product signal ( sing the filtered signal ) is assumed to be multiplied by 100 ( as shown in the informations sheet ) to give an accurate reading in temperature ( A °C ) . String sections are set such that a show is shown at the front panel when the temperature is above or below a temperature scope set ( say 30A °C – 50A °C ) . Figure 8 shows how the information is being salvage and how the lumberman is set. The signal inputs passes through the mean, which sends selected signals into the write measuring file, and harmonizing to the scene of the lumberman ( in seconds ) , the readings are being stored. Figure 9 shows the front panel of the VI, here it is seeable to see the result of the temperature reading, and controls are set in order to alter the system harmonizing to the user ‘s desire. A thermometer is set to demo the temperature reading when increasing or decreasing, an dismay is placed such that if readings are above or below a set status, a warning is set so that the dismay index water chickweeds and a beeping sound is heard. The following below show constellations of some of the diagrams discussed above ; Figure 10: Configure Spectral Measurements Figure 11: Configure to Write to Measurement File4. Result4.1 VI PROGRAM OUTPUTFigure 12: PSD demoing the filtered ( ruddy ) and unfiltered ( white ) signals. Figure 13: User Interface demoing the thermometer and the lumberman with historical informations. LabVIEW MeasurementAAAWriter_Version 0.92AAReader_Version 1AACentrifuge CheckAAMulti_Headings NoAAX_Columns MultiAATime_Pref AbsoluteAAOperator AOGUNS11AADate 03/11/2010AATime 30:09.6AA***End_of_Header***AAAAAAAChannelss 2AASamples 1A1 Date 03/11/2010A03/11/2010 Time 30:09.6A30:09.6 X_Dimension TimeATime X0 0.00E+00A0.00E+00 Delta_X 1A1 ***End_of_Header***AAAX_Value Unfiltered ( V ) X_Value Filtered V 0 0.23743 0 0.239368 23.171875 0.297004 23.17188 0.295841 23.734375 0.310529 23.73438 0.31329 26.734375 0.293301 26.73438 0.290185 29.734375 0.272209 29.73438 0.27214 32.734375 0.25337 32.73438 0.252483 35.734375 0.248862 35.73438 0.248778 38.734375 0.241455 38.73438 0.241785 41.734375 0.242099 41.73438 0.243864 Table 2: Sample of Log file at 3sec interval4.2 NOISE INVESTIGATIONFigure 14: PSD of filtered ( ruddy ) and unfiltered ( black ) signals at 1000 sample per rhythm and at a frequence of 1KHz. Figure 14: PSD of filtered ( ruddy ) and unfiltered ( black ) signals at 1000 sample per rhythm and at a frequence of 500Hz. A signal is composed of two parts, the wanted signal and noise ( Pugh et al, 2010 ) . We consider the filtered signals from the figure above. Noise occurs when there is a deformation of flow in the signal ; such can be seen in the unfiltered signal where presence of noise is more seeable. In order to take most of the noise a low base on balls filter was used, with a cut-off frequence of 4Hz. The consequence of this showed minimum presence of noise in the system with really few deformations. It should be noted a possible beginning of noise in the system can happen from the brinies ( 50Hz and its multiples ) . From the figures above, at frequence 1 KHz, and samples of 1K, we observe white noise being present from 15Hz, with spikes at 45, 105, 205 and 265Hz. Besides at the frequence 500Hz, and samples of 1K, we observe white noise being present from 15Hz, with spikes at 50, 125, 165, 200, 285 and 365Hz. It is of import to cognize that the white noise is the most dominant noise, and it starts at the beginning of the spectrum.5. 100 CHANNEL SystemIn order to make a 100 channel logging system, the most suited equipment to utilize is a PXI-2575 or SCXI-1175. The National Instruments PXI-2575 and SCXI-1175 are high-density 100 – channel all-purpose multiplexer switch faculties. With 198 1-wire channels or 98 2-wire channels, the NI PXI-2575 and NI SCXI-1175 are capable of routing 100s of signals to measurement devices or from beginning units. Each channel uses robust electromechanical relays and is capable of exchanging up to 100 VDC/100 VAC or 1 A. With a scanning velocity of up to 140 hertzs, these faculties act as an first-class front-end for high-channel-count machine-controlled trial applications. Expanding the multiplexer channel count of an SCXI system is every bit easy as adding extra faculties. Analog signals can be passed between two or more SCXI-1175 switch faculties via the high electromotive force parallel backplane ( HVAB ) in an SCXI human body. Include the HVAB arrangers for a 4-slot SCXI human body ( p/n 776575-57x ) or a 12-slot human body ( 776575-58x ) to put up this capableness. With these connexions, you can immediately spread out your channels without complicated wiring ( National Instruments, 2010 ) The cost of this system is set at ?1,549, which is just monetary value given its versatility and easy use. Should be recommended for a company/University usage instead than self intents ( unless affordable ) . Figure 15: The National Instruments PXI-2575 ( left ) and SCXI-1175 ( right )6. DecisionThe overall purpose of the experiment was accomplished as temperature was acquired at a rate of 0.001 Seconds, with a hardware filter inputted in it, holding a cut-off frequence at 4Hz, electrical capacity of 0.1A µF and a opposition of 397.89 to take accompany noise signals, averaged over a scope between 100 – 1000 samples and so logged every 3 seconds. The dismay system displays a â€Å" Low Temp † message when temperature dropped below 20 grades and a â€Å" High Temp † message when it rose above 30 grades centigrade and makes a beeping sound. Noise was reduced with the aid of a Low base on balls filter and farther, by averaging over a figure of samples.

Becoming A Woman And Accepting It Essay

Becoming A Woman 1 At first reading, Elizabeth Bishop’s â€Å"In The Waiting Room† is a world full of wonderful imagery. I did not care what it meant, I just enjoyed the way she described what she saw in the National Geographic while waiting in a dentist’s room. I can perfectly see in my mind when she wrote about â€Å"the inside of a volcano, black, and full of ashes; then it was spilling over in rivulets of fire †¦ Babies with pointed heads wound round and round with string† (Bishop, 1977). The second reading, I began to wonder what she meant with â€Å"But I felt: you are an I, you are an Elizabeth, you are one of them †¦ Why should I be my aunt, or me, or anyone? † I thought maybe she has an identity crisis or something like that so I reread it again. This time, the phrase â€Å"I said to myself: three days and you’ll be seven years old† stuck on my mind. And that’s when everything clicked. I felt that with her seventh birthday coming on (for me, this is an idiom for a woman’s rite of passage like her eighteenth birthday or another significant event), Elizabeth feels she’s finally becoming a woman. When I say becoming a woman, it’s the transition from being a carefree girl to an adult female with responsibilities. She’s quite agitated by it, not quite sure if she could be like her aunt and the rest of the adults. Elizabeth is anxious and is not ready to become a woman, but whether she likes it or not, she’s a woman already. Thus, she said, â€Å"I knew that nothing stranger had ever happened, that nothing stranger could ever happen. † After questioning how she became a woman, Elizabeth finally accepted that she is one. In the end of the poem she said, â€Å"The War was on. † If you were a kid, a teenager, or someone who doesn’t care for responsibilities, a war is not something you’d think about. But Elizabeth now does think about it. She has finally accepted she is a woman with responsibilities, still scared about it but willing to face whatever that might come her way. Well, at least, that’s how I see it ? Becoming A Woman 3 Reference Bishop, Elizabeth. (1977). Geography III. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux.

Anna Arnold Hedgeman

This paper takes a look at the life and achievements of civil rights protagonist, Anna Arnold Hedgeman. This paper focuses on the life and accomplishments of humanist Anna Arnold Hedgeman. Details about her achievements as a mentor and civil rights leader are provided. The main idea of the paper focuses on race relations among African-Americans and the civil rights movement. Anna Arnold Hedgeman was born on July 5, 1899, in Marshalltown, Iowa.She was one of five children born, her father being a son of slaves.Hedgeman was well educated, for she attended high school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later received a degree in English from the Methodist college of Hamline University.Growing up, Hedgeman became a very articulate, outspoken person.Throughout college, she grew very interested in the social injustices and racial inequality of African-Americans.In the ensuing decades of her life, Hedgeman devoted all of her time and energy to assisting many organizations and administrations that were intent on fighting for the rights of workers and for the better welfare of humanity. She acted as a teacher, consultant, and lecturer to these various groups, and eventually she owned her own consulting firm, Hedgeman Consulting Services.The focus of this paper will be to show how Anna Arnold Hedgemans concern for national and global equality led to her eventual involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington.

Confucian Moral Theory and Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Confucian Moral Theory and Practice - Essay Example The fundamental constructs of Confucian morality, in their independent nature, cannot comprehensively describe Confucian morality unless there is some form of connection between two or more of these constructs. As such, the five critical constructs have to be considered independently to form the basis for introducing the Confucian moral theory and practice in East Asia. First off is the concept of merging social-political reform to self-cultivation. According to Confucius’ belief, the establishment of political order on social order was essential and personal cultivation coined this social order, albeit among the members of the society: â€Å"From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, the cultivation of the self is the foundation of everything besides† (Lai 24). Confucius contends that the self-cultivation of individuals will translated into the rectification of the hearts and, therefore, the spillover effects would see the other people get cultivated as wel l. A cultivated society would lead to families that are regulated, and thus, the whole State would be justifiably governed. Rightly, governed States would give rise to a kingdom that calm and glad (24). Intrinsically, the connection between personal cultivation and the social-political reform is overly strong and this sets ground for Confucian morality. The second concept of Confucian morality is the pursuit of dao. Dao refers to a method, doctrine, path of truth or in accordance to the moral teachings.

Description of African immigrants living in the U.S Essay

Description of African immigrants living in the U.S - Essay Example At the end of 1970s, African immigrants constitute around 2 percent of total legally accepted immigrant population in America. In the subsequent decades their share in total immigrant population increased, but not very significantly. For example, in 1980s as well as in 1990s, their share in total immigrant population stands at a level around 3 percent. (Gordon, 92-94, Arthur, 1-2) The countries of Africa from where migration of people to America is mostly taking place over the years are â€Å"Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and the Horn of Africa (Mainly Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea)† (Arthur, pp. 2). Among all these countries, Nigeria constitutes the highest percentage of African immigrants in U.S.A. followed by Ethiopia. For example, in 1998, 17 percent of total African immigrants in U.S.A. cane from Nigeria, while 13 percent came from Ethiopia. According to a report published by Immigration and Naturalisation Service in 1971, most of the African immigrants came to America from the northern part of the continent, particularly from countries like Egypt and Morocco. However, over the years immigration from North Africa has slowed down significantly, while immigration from Sub-Saharan countries has got a high pace. The African immigrants in U.S.A. can be treated as a part of the brain drain process, i.e. the pr ocess of migration of talent on an international basis, from less developed countries to the industrialized developed nations of the world. Most the African immigrants presently living in America have already gathered experiences of urban life and interstate migration within their own countries prior to their arrival in the land of America with a hope to further enhance the prospects of their future. (Arthur, 1-2) Over the years, number of Africans living in U.S.A with an expectation of better life has increased. For examples, during 1970, around 61,463 Africans were living in America, while by 1980, this

There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement Essay

There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge - Essay Example For example, when conducting research respondents can be asked, â€Å"how many pairs of shoes do you own?† This is a neutral question since the person asking is not interested in whatever answers the respondent gives. The questioner could be someone who does not even know the respondent and happens to interact with them (physically or virtually) basically owing to the research. If a researcher from the United Kingdom goes to the United States to carry out an interview and asks such a question, the answer does not affect them. A question can, therefore, be neutral. How, then, can it be said that such a question is not neutral? The questioner changes the neutrality of a question by either manipulating the answer to suit his objectives or phrasing the question to box the respondent into one corner. For example, the question â€Å"are you going to hit me?† is not neutral because the answer is likely to influence whatever action, or thought that comes next. This is because whether the respondent answers in the affirmative or the negative the questioner is likely to develop certain notions about them2. This is more like a statement or a judgment. One distinct attribute of questions that are neutral is that they raise more questions; non-neutral questions tend to end with an answer. More question marks and doubts surrounding whatever answer given are highly likely3. When a teacher confronts a student who has failed a test and asks â€Å"how did you fail this test?† the teacher is using the question to reprimand the student4. The teacher is concerned about the intricate details of what led to the student failing the test. The student, on hearing the tone of the question, is likely to get defensive, and the communication process will be interrupted. This is because the teacher comes across as angry and judgmental; he is stating a point and not asking a question5. On the other hand, if the teacher asks â€Å"did you study

Will US dollar lose its role as the global reserve currency before Essay

Will US dollar lose its role as the global reserve currency before 2050 - Essay Example There is a tendency among governments and individuals to diversify by storing the value of their wealth in other dominant currencies, other than the dollar or converting them into commodities. The BRICs development bank, weakening dollar trend, increased US budget deficit, emergence of alternative contender currencies, and shifting pricing away from the dollar elaborates on the serious threat the US dollar faces, in its position as the global reserve currency. The US Dollar has served as the dominant and world reserve currency for about seventy years today, since the adoption of the system back in the 1940s. Over the years, it gained acceptance and increased use in international transactions and by governments’ central banks for purposes of storing value, exchanges and invoicing transactions. It brought numerous advantages to the governments across the world, and especially the US citizens, whose purchases of goods or services have been at much cheaper rates compared to foreign nations. Some countries went on to peg their currencies to the dollar, but they have experienced the risks besides the benefits of the act. Though still a global reserve currency, the US dollar has been faced by numerous challenges towards the end of the 20th century and the past one decade. Inclusive to this are the exposed weakening US dollar, depreciated dollar and risk of volatility, emergence of challenging currencies to the dollar, changing monetary in stitution and dollar pricing, and diversification against the dollar. Though a debatable issue, the US Dollar is more likely to lose its role as the global reserve currency by 2050. It appears that countries are slowly changing their currencies in trading of products even at the international level. Where dollars have been used, other currencies are taking control. For example, most wise and even rich people have studied the behavior of the

Negative campaign ads in presidential elections Essay

Negative campaign ads in presidential elections - Essay Example Thus, in this type of positive campaign ads, the presidential candidates would basically promote themselves, their values, image as well as their political propaganda, thereby making a persuasive influence on the voters. However, these candidates could also come up with ads to ‘paint’ their opponents in bad light and they will do that by including negative visuals or sounds involving their opponents, as well as alarming statistical evidences and worst case scenarios. As these campaign ads will make a negative effect on the voters about their opponents, presidential candidates and team are increasingly using these negative ads, especially over the last 30 years, with the media also playing a contributing role in it. Each presidential campaign from the earliest times have been witnessing changes, and when one looks at the campaigns during the middle decades of the 20th century, it bordered mainly on positivism, good-heartedness as well as balanced approach. These campaigns exhibited that approach by incorporating apt as well as positive visuals and music, and so those campaigns did not hint any negativity. â€Å"Campaign ads in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s tended to rely more on jingles; they were not as hard-hitting as they are today.† (â€Å"Political Mudslinging: Does it Work?†). However, from 1980s till the last elections in 2012, according to political analysts, media and even the public, presidential campaigns have evolved into more of negative campaigns, with negative ads maximally becoming part of those presidential campaigns. This fact was supported by Krupnikov and Easter (100), who stated, â€Å"Over the past 30 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of negative ads broadcast during American campaigns.† This fact about increasing negative campaign ads was also validated by researches done by political analysts, as they tracked the political

Honorifics Similarities of the Guugu Yimidhirr and Japanese Languages Essay

Honorifics Similarities of the Guugu Yimidhirr and Japanese Languages - Essay Example One of the most intriguing qualities of the Guugu Yimidhirr language is its honorific system; in other words, the way in which deference is paid to certain members of the family or the society with the use of a specific word over another. In particular, the honorific system requires the use of deference words and tone to a brother-in-law or father-in-law. The Japanese and Guugu Yimidhir languages were born for essentially the same purpose: to solidify a social structure that organically evolved to support a burgeoning community and, eventually, a larger nation. Where the Guugu Yimidhirr language has maintained its more traditional deference language primarily for use in speaking to brothers- and fathers- in law who in turn provide essential services for the community, Japanese culture has evolved and with it the use of deferential language for business purposes. Whorfian theory can be used in terms of the Aboriginal group, however Japanese language has not been a mirror unto itself a nd has changed to accommodate the needs of its society. The function of the honorifics within the Guugu Yimidhirr language is to essentially uphold an established social structure. The culture of these people is such that a certain stratification is basic to the continuation of the societal framework: deference must be paid to those members of society who are, in terms of the culture, of higher importance and reverence within the community and the society on the whole. Brothers-in-law and fathers-in-law are considered honorable members of the community in that they are wise and instrumental to the running of day-to-day life. This is a generally accepted view of Guugu Yimidhirr, with many subscribers to the idea that the language is what the society was initially, and now is, fixed upon. In contrast to this theory, however, Foley suggests that the key to understanding the use of honorifics within this particular language is to bring the Whorfian theories into play; in short, to examine the idea that the words used in context are not merely a product of initial societal roles but that they are currently responsible for shaping the worldview of the Guugu Yimidhirr themselves (Foley 1997). Being raised in an environment where it is socially unacceptable to say Balin-ga (porcupine) to your father- or brother-in-law instead of the deferential nhalngarr (Shopen 1979) means that children are acculturated to believe in the existing social structures and to use them with little resistance. Shopen points out that the deferential vocabulary within Guugu Yimidhirr is not a substantial sub-language, but instead a special set of words and phrases that are interchangeable with parts of the regular language. This is notable because it shows that the social structure is not completely, strictly stratified, but that it merely demands a level of respect for those on whom the community depends. Modern Japanese Honorifics The Japanese language today is another, like Guugu Yimidhirr, that has evolved over centuries and in doing so has developed and maintained honorifics. The three specific levels of Japanese honorifics, delineated by linguists, are Polite, Respectful and Humble Language. Teineigo, or Polite Language, is marked by the use of special sentence and verb endings: desu and masu, respectively (Maynard 1997). This is the language version taught to non-native speakers of Japanese. Sonkeigo, or Respectful Language, is used in reference to superiors and is characterized by the use of alternate words. For example, instead of using the verb suwaru as would be done when referring to oneself sitting down, the phrase o kake ni natte kudasai is used to ask someone in a superior position (this includes customers)

History of Caloocan Essay Example for Free

History of Caloocan Essay The residents of Caloocan must have been proud of its city. Other than a thriving past, the city had somehow dramatic toss with times then. Now, it continues to set ground-breaking achievements for its people and visitors. Caloocan had its famous episode in 1896 when Filipino troops fought against Spanish tyrants and advocates. The world was stirred by it. The city’s name derivation has a story behind. It’s said to have come from the Tagalog term â€Å"lo-ok†, which means â€Å"bay†, as Caloocan is just close to the Manila Bay. Others followed another version that â€Å"lo-ok† referred to â€Å"corner† because the town was concretely located â€Å"at the corner† in early days. Historical accounts tell us that Chinese and Indians were the first settlers of Caloocan. Their features are mostly dull-colored with slim beard, flat nose and black eyes. Most dwellers in the past worked as fishermen especially those residing in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas and Manila Bay areas. Those huge rural areas like Maysilo Estate were possessed by the Jesuits while Piedad was owned by Don Pedro de Galarraga. Cruz and Naligas Estates were possessed by the friars. The first terrain of Caloocan stretched up to the foothills of Marikina, Tala Rivers, San Francisco del Monte, Sampalok, Sta. Cruz, Tondo and Tanza. The first Catholic Church in Caloocan was erected in 1765 by the Spanish Augustinian scholars who made it to â€Å"lo-ok† in 1762, but in 1814, religious governance was assumed by the Recollects. Caloocan started to grow in 1802 that led to its becoming a municipality in 1815. The door for economic progress opened when the railroad project connecting Manila and Dagupan was fulfilled in 1892. It made business transactions quicker and brought Caloocan closer to the bustling Metro Manila. In 1896, however, the people of Caloocan with the leadership of Andres Bonifacio rebelled against the Spaniards. It resulted in numerous revolutions one after another in all provinces of the Philippines. Eventually, Spain ceded the nation in 1898, but the Americans arrived. It was another test for Caloocan to get through. Periods of reconstruction were experienced. New roads, public schools and railways were erected. Later, Caloocan had to endure three years of Japanese invasion. When Philippine Independence was proclaimed in 1946, Caloocan gained its authentic freedom after all. It’s also important to note that the galleon trade history in Caloocan contributed to its growth. The export and import of products resulted to the coming in of Mexican money. It mutually improved the economies of Manila and Acapulco. Export products generated by Caloocan businessmen were in great demand for this trade. This growth continued as years went by, and now, Caloocan is harvesting the fruits of its labor.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Literary and Architectural Legacy

Frank Lloyd Wright: Literary and Architectural Legacy Introduction: There is a depth in each building that surpasses the visible physical characteristics of its structure. The philosophy that derives the experiences created within is an essential element in understanding each building or structure. It is this philosophy that differentiates an architect from another. And it was the organic philosophy in architecture that lifted Frank Lloyd wrights status to be called the greatest American Architect of all times. Through the study of his various writings, this paper explores his philosophy and analyses it in light of his design process and some of his constructed works. The Principles of the Organic: It was Lao Tze, five hundred years before Jesus who declared, that the reality of the building consisted not of the walls and roof but inhered in the space within, the space to be lived in.[1] For Frank Lloyd Wright, the center line of organic architecture was form and function are one. They become one, they are integral. He conceived this integrity, from within outward, as the modern architects guide and opportunity. Out of the ground and into the light was an opportunity. The nature of material was also an opportunities. All three opportunities were limitations but they were also a condition of success. Human nature was one of these materials, as well, served by the building and serving it.[2] In his various writings Frank Lloyd Wright explained the principles guiding and driving his organic architecture. He believed that the knowledge of the relations between form and function was essential for the practice of architecture and could only be achieved by studying nature and its principles.[3] From the simplicity inhered in nature he deducted certain ideals for organic architecture. First, that a building should contain as few rooms as possible. The ensemble of these rooms should be considered for comfort, utility and go hand in hand with beauty. Second, the openings should be integral features of the structure and form, providing it with natural ornamentation, instead of rich looking decoration. He also argued that the appliances, furniture and fixtures should be should incorporated in the general scheme of the structure. [4] For Wright simplicity was not in itself an end but it was a means to an end. The reticence in ornamentation in these structures is mainly for two reasons: first, they are the expression of an idea that ornamentation should constitutional, a matter of the nature of the structure, beginning with the ground plan. Second, because buildings perform their functions in relation to human life within, to develop and maintain the harmony of a true chord, broad simple surfaces and highly conventionalized forms are inevitable. According to him, these ideas take the building out of school and marry them to the ground, make them intimate expressions or revelations of the exteriors; individualize them regardless of previous notions of style.[5] Natures principles also formulated other ideals in organic architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright maintained that the individuality of a person should be reflected in the style of the house he inhabits, therefore there should be as many styles of houses as there are kinds of people. He also asserted that a building should grow easily from its site and be shaped to harmonize with its surroundings, making it quiet, substantial and organic. The use of colors was also an important aspect, for they had to fit to live with the natural forms they do. Therefore he encouraged the use of soft, warm tones of earth and autumn leaves in preference to the blues, purples or greens and greys. Bringing out the nature of material was an essential ideal to organic architecture, describing them as friendly and beautiful. He believed that following the prevalent traditions leads to structures that become soon out of fashion, stale and profitable, insisting that each house should have character of its own.[6] T herefore organic principles grew out of nature and its principles; however there are other aspects that have partially led to its growth. Rejection of Classical and Renaissance Architecture: I deliberately chose to break with traditions in order to be more true to tradition than current conventions and ideals in architecture would permit. [7] The principles of organic architecture, though they seemingly developed out of natures principles were also partially born from Wrights critique of previous classical and renaissance styles. In the First evening of his London lectures in 1939,Wright declared that the classic was more of a mask for life to wear rather than an expression of life itself. [8]He strongly critiqued the view of architecture as a fashionable aesthetic, arguing that modern architecture rejects all grando-mania, every building that would stand in a military fashion. [9]He encouraged architectsto abandon the cherishing of preconceived form fixed upon them, and to exhale to the laws of common sense to determine from them the form and material of the building in light of its purpose, resulting in a differentiation between the different forms of the building due to their varying function, asserting that Form and Function are one.[10] Wright criticized the tall interiors that were divided into box like compartments, where the architecture mainly involved healing over the edges of the curious collection of holes that had to be cut in the walls for light and air to permit the occupant to get in or out. [11] Wright observed that, in nature, the individuality of its attributes are seldom scarified. Unlike the classical buildings in which an order is establishes, for example a colonnade, then walls are added between them, reducing them to pilasters, with the result that every form is outraged, the whole an abominable mutation. The Approach to Design: All architecture must begin there where they stand[12] Out of the principles of the organic, Frank Lloyd Wright maintained a design process throughout his career that he describes in his book the Future of Architecture. He strongly believed in building from within outward. To achieve this vision he started by determining which consideration came first in the design process. The first determinant was the ground. By this he meant the nature of site, soil and climate. The next consideration was the choice of available materials taking into account the financial cost. The third was the choice of means of power for construction. Man, machine or both? He believed that what rendered his buildings as creative was this process of from within outward, giving life the whole, and giving life to the structure by adopting the ideal of form and function are one, or organic.[13] Wright believed that the character of the site is the beginning of any building which aspires to architecture. He argued that architects ought to accept the fact that the ground already has form.ÂÂ   This to him was a gift from nature to be cherished and accepted.[14] Therefore, in designing his domestic architecture he was careful about considering and incorporating certain elements. First was free association with the ground. Second, sunlight, vista and a spaciousness that conforms to a modern sense of demanded space.ÂÂ   The third element was privacy. Fourth was a free pattern for the arrangement of rooms to be occupied by the families. He argued that as families vary so must the houses. However, he affirmed that these requirements should be incorporated in the architecture of the building in an integral harmony of proportion to the human figure, so that the building protects and cherishes the individuals vital necessities and fine sentiments.[15] The Logic behind the Plan: I have great faith that if the thing rightfully put together in true organic senses with proportions actually right the picturesque will take care of itself.[16] Frank Lloyd Wright believed that all the forms in his plans are complete in themselves and frequently do duty at the same time from within and without as attributes of the whole. There was a tendency towards a greater individuality of the parts emphasized by more and more complete articulation. Moreover, the ground plans were the actual projection of a carefully considered whole.ÂÂ   The architecture wasnt thrown up as an artistic exercise, a matter of elevation from a preconceived ground plan. The schemes were conceived in three dimensions as organic entities. Wright ventured to let the picturesque perspective fall how it will. With a sense of the incidental perspectives, he believed the design will develop. [17] In the Future of Architecture and in an article in the architectural record he describes the logic behind the plans in his architecture. He mentions the most important factors in designing the plan which are materials, building methods, scale, articulation, expression or style. The logical norm for the scale of the building was the human scale. He believed that the unit of size of the building varies with the purpose and material of it, therefore he adopted a unit system for the plan, establishing a certain standardization. By adopting the human scale, he trusted nature to give the proper values to a proper whole. Materials also affected scale. He used the most natural material suiting the purpose. Using wood led to a slender plan, light in texture narrow in spacing. A stone or brick plan was heavy, black in masses and wider in spacing. In cast block building, the scale was done to be adequate to the sense of block, box and slab and there was more freedom in spacing.[18] In his domestic architecture, he designed that house with a garden that arranges itself about and within it so that the individual can enjoy the sun and view while keeping privacy. He gave priority to the living room, given its status as the room common to all, adding a fireplace to it. The modern industrial developments allowed him to make the kitchen a part of the living room relating it to another part of the same. He occasionally added an extra space for reading or studying. By creating this association between living and dining he ensured the convenience and the privacy of the members of the family. Wright gave importance to the bathrooms making them large enough to accommodate for dressing rooms, closets for linen, occasionally a wardrobe with perhaps a couch in each. He made the bedrooms adjacent to the bathroom unit, designing them to be small, airy and easily accessible from the living room. [19] His logic is derived from the ideal of form and function are one. The inspiration of his ideal grew from nature, not its form but its principles. In nature, an organism is a living one when all is part to the whole and whole is to the part.ÂÂ   Wright argued that this correlation which is found any plant or animal is a fundamental principle in organic architecture. He also maintained that any building should come to terms with the living human spirit.[20] Considering the individuality of the owner in the design process, led to certain puzzlement regarding the notion of style. The Question of Style: Styles once developed soon become yardsticks for the blind, crushes for the lame, and resources for the impotent.[21] Frank Lloyd Wright asserted that he had enough types and forms my work to characterize the work of an architect but certainly not enough to characterize an architecture. To him there was no worse of an imposition than to have some individual deliberately fix the outward forms of his concept of beauty upon the future of a free people or even a growing city.[22] The form may differ, he asserted, but in every case the motif is adhered to throughout so that it is not too much to say that each building aesthetically is cut from one piece of goods and consistently hangs together with an integrity impossible otherwise. In a fine art sense the designs grew as natural plants grow, the individuality of each is integral and is as complete as skill, time, strength, and circumstances would permit. The method in itself does not necessarily produce a beautiful building, but it does provide a framework as a basic which has an organic integrity.[23] Wright believed that style came as a byproduct of the process he maintained in his design. The way an architect achieves an integrity in his design came, first, by studying natures material to find the properties most suited for the purpose, then, by using organic architecture as guide, to unite these qualities to serve that purpose.[24] In his plan Wright did use a form of standardization, a unit of size for the building. However, he warned against the tendency in the human mind to standardize. He viewed standardization as a mere tool, though indispensable, should be used to the extent that it leave the architect free to destroy it at will, to the extent only that it does not become a style, or an inflexible rule-is it desirable to the architect. It is desirable only to the extent that it is capable of new forms and remains the servant of those forms. He believed that standardization should be allowed to work, but never to master the process that yields the form.[25] In his various designs Wright took into consideration the individuality of the occupant and his needs. Wright responded to the critics who suspected that individuality of the owner and occupant of the building is sacrificed to that of the architect who imposes his own upon everyone alike, by saying An architect worthy of the name has individuality, it is true, his work will and should reflect it and his buildings will bear a family resemblance one to another. The individuality of the owner is first manifest in his choice of his architect, the individual to whom he entrusts his characterization. He sympathizes with his work; its expression suits him and this furnishes the common ground upon which client and architect may come together. Then, the architect with his ready technique, he conscientiously works for the client, idealizes his clients character and taste and makes him feel the building is his as it really to such an extent that he can truly say that he would rather have his ow n house than any other he has ever seen[26] In order to fully understand wrights methodology, it is essential to look at how his principles have formed his designs and buildings. Looking at the Prairie house style and Taliesin, the examples show how Wright succeeded in maintaining his philosophy, while providing diversity of forms. Prairie Houses: In his book An American Architecture, Wright describes his love and fascination with prairie, along with the elements of the prairie that guided his designs. I loved the prairie as great simplicity. And I saw that a little of height on the prairie was enough to look like much more. The natural tendency of every ill- considered thing on the prairie is to detach itself and stick out like a sore thumb in surrounding by nature perfectly quiet. All unnecessary heights have for that reason and the human scale, (other reasons, economic too) been eliminated. More intimate relation with outdoor environment and far-reaching vista is sought to balance the desired lessening of height.[27] The Prairie style was an attempt by Wright to create an architecture that suited the American lifestyle and landscape. Strongly horizontal plan of house with a low sheltering roof, bands of art glass windows, stucco walls with wood banding, and outreaching garden walls had many of the features that characterized this version of Wrights organic architecture.[28] The Little house on Lake Minnetonka (figure1) is an example of how organic architecture is reflected in the house. The living room is the dominant space in the house. Mrs. Little was an accomplished musician and wanted the room to double as recital space. The height of the ceiling adds to the rooms grandeur. Flanked by two long walls with more than a dozen art glass windows on two levels, the room has the lightness of an outdoor pavilion. Clear glass was used in the leaded panels so that the views, the lake to one side and the forest to another, would not be obstructed. The delicate designs of lines and triangles, concentrated on the outer edges of the window, reach across several panels, creating a larger composition than on just the one window. The art glass skylight, an intricate checkerboard of tiny squares and triangles, are framed by heavy wood moldings.[29] Wright focused on using an appropriate kind of furniture. The rectilinear Prairie Style furniture with the sturdy oak shapes of tables, cabinets, and chairs adapted easily to the houses scale. The vertical spindles of the radiator covers are repeated in the base of the print table and seem to capture the rhythm of the wood marking strips across the ceiling. The strong horizontality of the entire house and the room itself pulls the scale back down to a more human level.[30] The Taliesin: No house should be a hill or anything or anything. It should be of the hill. Hill and house should live together, each happier for the other.[31] This is Wright famous quote regarding the Taliesin in Wisconsin (figure2). In studying Wrights architecture it seems interesting to look at building he designed for him personally. This specific house is consistent, rich and appropriate in its management of prospect and refuge. It is also a gentler, more intimate, and more freely composed house than any others of wrights works.[32] In designing domestic architecture Wright regarded the house as refuge from two generalized and impersonal threats. One is climate the other is the social intrusion by the community.[33] When Wright built the Taliesin, he considered these two universal threats along with two personal threats, one external from his feeling of societal hostility for leaving his wife, the other internal from an inner sense of disorientation and confusion. [34] This attests to the individuality in his design. He built the Taliesin encircling the side of the hill, with its back to wall, making it seem as if it was of the hill. However this placement and his famous quotation about this house dont apply to previous prairie houses like the Hardy, Little, Ennis and Morris houses. Perhaps this placement was more related to the nature of the site, since in Taliesin the hill was inappropriate, partly because of Wrights sense of it sanctity, but partly because he needed to have his the therefore, its back against the wall, for which purpose the hilltop could not work. Therefore he chose the hillside around which the living spaces were arranged.[35] The dominant image was that of roofs which emerged randomly from the hillside vegetation, with a repetition of gentled shingled spaces, taking the slopes of the hills as their slopes. The deep overhanging eaves were all at uniform level, forming a continuous eave line.[36] Wright argued on many occasions that he was trying to destroy the box, by which he meant the self-contained room of traditional domestic architecture. He used the open plans in the prairie houses. However in Taliesin, in spite of the fluid disposition of the rooms, there is no sense of an open plan, rich and complex but a box nevertheless. Unlike prairie, this living space did not open through articulating devices to any contiguous space, nor did any other rooms. This was appropriate at Taliesin where containment was deliberately sought and consistency developed in so many other ways.ÂÂ   Also, the terrace did not extend from either range of windows that released the view. It lay rather behind the scenes. Probably this issue was a provision of view downward to the valley from the living room. This view would have been frustrated by a terrace, especially by one with a solid plastered rail.[37] The way Wright treated Taliesin in its particularity, attests to his claim that he didnt adopt a style. The particularity of the site, the nature of materials, individuality and function were the determinants of the form of the building. Conclusion: Wrights philosophy revolved around the organic. He articulated his philosophy clearly in his various writings that totaled to more than one and half million words. He defined the word organic as an entity, part-to whole- as whole- is to part, intrinsic.[38] The ideal of the organic was form and function are one. This ideal guided his design process, the logic behind his revolutionary open plans and is reflected in his different works. And despite the differences in his works, he managed to maintain an organic integrity in his designs. Image index: Figure 1 [39] Figure2 Bibliography: Hildebrand, Grant. The Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd Wrights Houses. Seattle: U of Washington, 1991. Lind, Carla. The Wright Style. New York: Simon Schuster, 1992. Klinkowitz, Jerome. Frank Lloyd Wright and His Manner of Thought. Madison, Wisconsin: U of Wisconsin, 2014. Wright, Frank Lloyd. The Future of Architecture. New York: Horizon, 1953. Wright, Frank Lloyd, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. New York: Architectural Record, 1975. Wright, Frank Lloyd, and Donald D. Walker. An American Architecture. New York: Horizon, 1955. [1] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 226 [2] ibid, p 297 [3] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p54 [4] ibid [5] Ibid, p60 [6] ibid, p55 [7] ibid, p123 [8] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 225 [9] ibid , p226 [10] ibid, p227 [11] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p55 [12] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953,p299 [13] ibid, p297 [14] ibid, p299 [15] ibid, p315 [16] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p59 [17] ibid [18] ibid, p154 [19] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 316 [20] ibid, p 298 [21] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p163 [22] ibid, p 124 [23] ibid, p59 [24] ibid, p124 [25] ibid, p 163 [26] ibid, p60 [27] Frank Lloyd wright and Donald D. Walker, An American Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1955, p193 [28] Carla Lind, The Wright Style. (New York: Simon Schuster) 1992, p 72 [29] ibid, p84 [30] ibid [31] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p11 [32] Grant Hildebrand, The Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd Wrights Houses. (Seattle: U of Washington) 1991, p 64 [33] ibid, p62 [34] ibid, p63 [35] ibid, p64 [36] ibid [37] ibid, p72 [38] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 323 [39] Carla Lind, The Wright Style. (New York: Simon Schuster) 1992, p 72

Socrates: The Greek Philosopher :: essays research papers

The life of the Greek philosopher Socrates (469-399 BC) marks such a critical point in Western thought that standard histories divide Greek philosophy into pre-Socratic and post-Socratic periods. Socrates left no writings of his own, and his work has inspired almost as many different interpretations as there have been interpreters. He remains one of the most important and one of the most enigmatic figures in Western philosophy. As a young man Socrates became fascinated with the new scientific ideas that Anaxagoras and the latter's associate Archelaus had introduced to Athens. He seems for a time to have been the leader of an Athenian research circle--which would explain why the first appearance of Socrates in literature is as a villainous, atheistic scientist in The Clouds of Aristophanes. Young Socrates also knew the Sophists and listened to their debates and ceremonial orations. Socrates and the Sophists Neither science nor Sophistry, however, could answer a new philosophic questio n that struck him. The earlier Greek thinkers had been concerned almost wholly with physics and cosmology until the Sophists suggested that what should be done instead was to teach young men skills to satisfy their natural self-interest. Instead, Socrates wondered: "What is a 'self'?" Although "Know Thyself!" was one of three sayings carved on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the directive proved difficult to carry out. The so-called scientific views of the time, particularly that of atomism, defined the self as a physical organ that responded to environmental pressure. Socrates felt, however, that the Sophists, for all their talk of self-interest, had little curiosity about the status of a self; they assumed that it was merely an isolated center constantly greedy for more pleasure, prestige, and power. The Sophists further thought that the values that people advocated were all conventional, varying from one culture to another, and that no one would ever act again st his or her own interest, regardless of how many people talked as though they would. This complex of ideas offered little to explain human nature and excellence. Socrates' Later Life and Thought Socrates, setting about his search for the self, was convinced of the importance of his quest. Until educators and teachers knew what human excellence was, he thought, they were engaging in false pretenses by claiming that they knew how to improve students or societies. Socrates believed that objective patterns, or "forms," exist that define human excellence, that these are neither culturally relative nor subjective, and that philosophic inquiry could discover them.

The Importance of Slearys Circus People in Hard Times Essay -- Dicken

The Importance of Sleary's Circus People in Hard Times      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Charles Dickens' novel "Hard Times", an alternative view of the Gradgrind-Bounderby way of life is presented by Sleary's circus people.    Sleary's people are shown by Dickens as leading lives which go against everything which Gradgrind represents and as such they are at first a kind of abomination to him. They are shown as people with a life of freedom, not constrained by the rigid set laws and hard facts which Gradgrind's philosophy is based upon. Not only just the physical freedom to roam the countryside almost at will, where Gradgrind is tied to Coketown. But also a mental freedom to enjoy life to the full with all it's spontaneity, unconditional emotions, imagination, failings, shortcomings and passions. Something which Gradgrind is shown not being able to comprehend until late on in the book. You get the feeling that their life on this world is to give pleasure to others at sometimes great risk to themselves "a pretty fair haired girl.......made a will at twelve" 1 , in a place where the "Hands" can e... The Importance of Sleary's Circus People in Hard Times Essay -- Dicken The Importance of Sleary's Circus People in Hard Times      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Charles Dickens' novel "Hard Times", an alternative view of the Gradgrind-Bounderby way of life is presented by Sleary's circus people.    Sleary's people are shown by Dickens as leading lives which go against everything which Gradgrind represents and as such they are at first a kind of abomination to him. They are shown as people with a life of freedom, not constrained by the rigid set laws and hard facts which Gradgrind's philosophy is based upon. Not only just the physical freedom to roam the countryside almost at will, where Gradgrind is tied to Coketown. But also a mental freedom to enjoy life to the full with all it's spontaneity, unconditional emotions, imagination, failings, shortcomings and passions. Something which Gradgrind is shown not being able to comprehend until late on in the book. You get the feeling that their life on this world is to give pleasure to others at sometimes great risk to themselves "a pretty fair haired girl.......made a will at twelve" 1 , in a place where the "Hands" can e...

Farming Essay -- Personal Narrative Agriculture Papers

Farming "Beep , beep, beep, " the alarm clock sounded. "Shoot another day at work" I thought. It is 5:30 and time to head off to work. I go into the shoe room and throw on my once worn set of clothes, which consist of a tee-shirt, sweatshirt, long johns, pants, and some winter boots. I also grab a coat on the way out. I opened the door and the cold wintry blast hit my pale face. "Damn it's cold", I thought to myself. I trudged through the two feet of crusty snow and hop into my 87' Ram 50 pick-up truck. "rue, rur, rur, whiinee " the engine started. "Yes" I thought, "I don't want to jump my truck this cold morning". I started down the road into what seemed like a dark oblivion with only my headlights to guide me through. I came to the first stop sign and almost slide through it. "Whew that was close!" I shouted to myself . I start up again, a little slower this time as hoping not to slide through another stop sign, I then realize my heater is starting to kick in. It's getting warm in my truck. ,it's comfortable though. I finally arrive at work and walk in. "Good afternoon" my boss states sarcastically. It's 6:00 in the morning and its still cold in the barn. I go into the silo room and start to fill up the corn cart. The room is off to the side of the barn so it is also freezing in this part of the barn. I roll the full cart onto the cement lane ,it seems really heavy in these early morning hours. I pull in front of the first cow and think "Oh yea only 59 more to go." I get done feeding corn and move on to feeding the mineral; this only takes about five minutes because I don't have to feed as much. Next I move on to feeding protein out of the cart this takes a little more time than mineral, b... ... turn the first bolt and my wrench slips. "Ouch", I scream. "Whadidchya do?" my boss asks. " Hit my damn finger", I say. " Well don't slip off the burr and that won't happen." He instructs me. " Thanx" I said. We get the girder replaced and go in for a late afternoon dinner. I sit down and think, "warmth, ahh". Feeling begins to come back into my hands and they hurt from banging them several times on things. I eat the prepared meatballs and boiled potatoes with peas and carrots with rigorous vigor. "Will you pay me today please", I ask. "Sure", my boss says. I get my check and tell my boss and his family I'll see the tomorrow. I hop into my truck and finally start to go back home. I arrive home to find that my family has gone some where so I go in take a shower and proceed to call my buddy up on the phone to see where the party is at.

From History to Modern Era Essay

The great virtue of this estimate of Zionism is that it seems to succeed in providing the modern movement with a long history of which it is the heir. Zionism is made to stand in an unending line of messianic stirrings and rebellions against an evil destiny which began right after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans, with the Bar Kokba revolt in the next century. This theory highlights the story of frequent â€Å"ascents† of small groups of pietists from the Diaspora to the Holy Land, occurring in every century of the medieval and pre- modern age, as expressions of a main theme — indeed, of the main theme — of â€Å"return,† which gave meaning to Jewish experience in the exile. The bond between the people and its land, which it never gave up hope of resettling, was thus never broken, and Zionism is, therefore, the consummation of Jewish history under the long-awaited propitious circumstances afforded by the age of liberalism and nationalism. Despite its neatness and appeal, this construction, which is chiefly identified with the name of the distinguished Israeli historian, Ben Zion Dinur, must be subjected to serious criticism. In the first place, it is really a kind of synthetic Zionist ideology presented as history. The assumption of being in the midst of an â€Å"end of days,† of a final resolution of the tension between the Jew and the world, is as yet unprovable. To date, even after the creation of the state of Israel, Zionism has neither failed nor succeeded. The position of the Jew is still unique in the world, and only those who are certain that their theories foretell the future can be convinced that, for example, the Diaspora will soon be dissolved. This may, indeed, be true, but an interpretation of the meaning of Zionism in Jewish history which boldly asserts that it must come to pass — as this theory does — is suspect of being doctrinaire. Much more could be said in detail about the implications of this theory that Zionism is Jewish messianism in process of realizing itself through this-worldly means. This description fits that stream of Zionist thought which remained orthodox in religious outlook, and therefore limited its tinkering with the classical messianic conception of the Jewish religion to the question of means; but this thesis pretends to apply to the main body of the movement, and, as such, it is artificial and evasive. What is being obscured is the crucial problem of modern Zionist ideology, the tension between the inherited messianic concept and the radically new meaning that Zionism, at its most modern, was proposing to give it. Zionism: Messianic Era Religious messianism had always imagined the Redemption as a confrontation between the Jew and God. The gentile played a variety of roles in this drama — as chastising rod in the divine hand, as the enemy to be discomfited, or, at very least, as the spectator to pay homage at the end of the play — but none of these parts are indispensable to the plot. In the cutting edge of Zionism, in its most revolutionary expression, the essential dialogue is now between the Jew and the nations of the earth. What marks modern Zionism as a fresh beginning in Jewish history is that its ultimate values derive from the general milieu. The Messiah is now identified with the dream of an age of individual liberty, national freedom, and economic and social justice — i. e. , with the progressive faith of the nineteenth century. This is the true Copernican revolution which modern Zionism announced — and it patently represents a fundamental change not merely in the concept of the means to the Redemption but in end values. Every aspect of Jewish messianism has been completely transmuted by this new absolute. So, classical Judaism had, for the most part, imagined that at some propitious moment an inner turning by the Chosen People would be the preamble to evoking the saving grace of God. Zionism, too, knows that the Jewish people must be remade in order to be redeemed — indeed, its sweeping and passionate demands lent themselves to being spoken in language reminiscent of the prophets — but it is supremely aware that its millennium is out of reach without the assent and co-operation of the dominant political powers.

Operational Risk Management in Banking Sector: an Overview

ReseaRch PaPeR Commerce Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X Operational Risk Management in Banking Sector: An overview Keywords Rakesh Chutia Assistant, State Bank of India Margheita-786181 Dist. -Tinsukia Assam ABSTRACT Operational risk is inherent in all banking products, activities and processes and systems and the effective management of operational risk is of paramount importance for every bank’s board and senior management.With globalization and deregulation of financial markets, increased competition combined with the advent of high-end, innovative, sophisticated technology tremendous changes have taken place in the products distribution channels and service delivery mechanism of the banking sector. These have introduced more complexities into the banking operations and consequently the risk patterns and profiles of the industry have also become complex, diverse and catastrophic. The New Capital Adequacy Framework of the Reserve Bank of India requires bank to maintain capital explicitly towards operational risk.This paper tries to study the various methodologies used by the banks in their operational risk management activity and to study the regulatory framework related to operational risk management. Introduction Since the late 1990s, globalization, deregulation, consolidation, outsourcing, breaking of geographical barriers by use of sophisticated technology, growth of e-commerce etc. have significantly changed the business, economic and regulatory climate of the banking sector. These developments introduced more complexities into the activities of banks and their risk profiles.Consequently a series of high profile operational loss events at Societe Generale, UBS, AIB, and National Australia Bank etc. have led banks and their managements world over to increasingly view operational risk management as an integral part of their risk management activity like the management of market risk and credit risk. The identification and measurement of operational risk is a significant issue for modern-day banks, particularly since the decision by the  Basel Committee on Banking Supervision  (BCBS) to introduce a capital charge for this risk as part of the new capital adequacy framework (Basel II).Operational risk has been defined by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. This definition is based on the underlying causes of operational risk. It seeks to identify the causes of a loss event and at the broadest level includes the breakdown by four causes: people, processes, systems and external factors. Operational risk may materialise directly, e. g. , in electronic fund transfer (transfer of funds to the wrong person) or could result indirectly as a credit or market loss.Since there is a close linkage of operational risk with other types of risks, it is very important for banks to first have a clear understanding of the concept of operational risk before designing the appropriate operational risk measurement and management framework. Different types of operational risk in Banking Sector The Basel Committee has identified the following types of operational risk events as having the potential to result in substantial losses for banks: †¢ Internal fraud. For example, intentional misreporting of positions, employee theft, and insider trading on an employee’s own account. Externalfraud. Forexample,robbery,forgery,chequekiting, and damage from computer hacking. †¢ Employment practices and workplace safety. For example, workers compensation claims, violation of employee health and safety rules, organised labour activities, discrimination claims, and general liability. †¢ Clients, products and business practices. For example, fiduciary breaches, misuse of confidential customer information, improper trading activities on the bank’s account, mon ey laundering, and sale of unauthorized products. Damagetophysicalassets. Forexample,terrorism,vandalism, earthquakes, fires and floods. †¢ Business disruption and system failures. For example, hardware and software failures, telecommunication problems, and utility outages. †¢ Execution,deliveryandprocessmanagement. Forexample: data entry errors, collateral management failures, incomplete legal documentation, and unauthorized access given to client accounts, non-client counterparty misperformance, and vendor disputes. OPERATIONAL RISKMANAGEMENT PROCESS: Operational Risk management generally encompasses the process of identifying risks to the bank, measuring exposures to those risks), ensuring that an effective capital planning and monitoring programme is in place, monitoring risk exposures and corresponding capital needs on an ongoing basis, taking steps to control or mitigate risk exposures. †¢ Identification of operational risk. Banks should identify and assess the operational risk inherent in all products, services,activities,processesandsystems. You can read also Portfolio Management QuizzesEffectiverisk identification should consider both internal factors (such as the bank’s structure, the nature of the bank’s activities, the quality of the bank’s human resources, organizational changes and employee turnover) and external factors (such as changes in the industry and technological advances) that could adversely affect the achievement of the bank’s objectives. †¢ AssessmentofOperationalRisk. Inadditiontoidentifying the risk events, banks should assess their vulnerability to these risk events.Effective risk assessment allows a bank to better understand its risk profile and most effectively target risk management resources. Amongst the possible tools that may be used by banks for assessing operational risk are: ? Self Risk Assessment: A bank assesses its operations and activities against a menu of potential operational risk vulnerabilities. This process is internally driven and often incorporate s checklists and/or workshops to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the operational risk environment. 6 X INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ReseaRch PaPeR Risk Mapping: In this process, various business units, organizational functions or process flows are mapped by risk type. This exercise can reveal areas of weakness and help prioritise subsequent management action. ? Key Risk Indicators: Key risk indicators are statistics and/ or metrics, often financial, which can provide insight into a bank’s risk position. Such indicators may include the number of failed trades, staff turnover rates and the frequency and/or severity of errors and omissions. †¢ Measurement. A key element of risk management is measuring the size and scope of the bank’s risk exposures.However, there is no clearly established, single method to measure operational risk on a bank-wide basis. Banks may develop risk assessment techniques that are appropriate to the size and complexities of the ir portfolio, their resources and data availability. A good assessment model must cover certain standard features. An example is the â€Å"matrix† approach in which losses are categorized according to the type of event and the business line in which the event occurred. Banks may quantify their exposure to operational risk using a variety of approaches.Forexample,dataonabank’shistoricallossexperience could provide meaningful information for assessing the bank’s exposure to operational risk and developing a policy to mitigate/control the risk. †¢ MonitoringofOperationalRisk. Aneffectivemonitoring process is essential for adequately managing operational risk. Banks should implement a process to regularly monitor operational risk profiles and material exposures to losses. In addition to monitoring operational loss events, banks should identify appropriate indicators that provide early warning of an increased risk of futurelosses.Such indicators should be forwar d-looking and could reflect potential sources of operational risk such as rapid growth, the introduction of new products, employee turnover, transaction breaks, system downtime, and so on. There should be regular reporting of pertinent informationtoseniormanagementandtheBoardofDirectors that supports the proactive management of operational risk †¢ Controls/MitigationofOperationalRisk. Withregardto operational risk, several methods may be adopted for mitigatingtherisk. Forexample,lossesthatmightarise on account of natural disasters can be insured against.Losses that might arise from business disruptions due to telecommunication or electrical failures can be mitigated by establishing redundant backup facilities. Loss due to internal factors, like employee fraud or product flaws, which may be difficult to identify and insure against, can be mitigated through strong internal auditing procedures. The Board of Directors and senior management must make efforts for establishing a stron g internal control culture in which control activities are an integral part of the regular activities of a bank.Banks should periodically review their risk limitation and control strategies and should adjust their operational risk profile accordingly using appropriate strategies, in light of their overall risk appetite and profile. Investment in appropriate processing technology and information technology security are also important for risk mitigation. Banks should also have in place contingency and business continuity plans to ensure their ability to operate on an ongoing basis and limit losses in the event of severe business disruption.OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACHES IN BASEL II The Basel framework (2004) proposes a range of approaches for setting aside regulatory capital for operational risk under Pillar 1: The Basic Indicator Approach (BIA), The Standardised Approach(TSA)andtheAdvancedMeasurementApproach (AMA). Allthethreeapproachesdifferintheircomplexityand the banks ar e encouraged to move along the spectrum of approaches as they obtain more sophistication in their risk management practices.The Basic Indicator Approach is the simplest approach for estimating regulatory capital, wherein Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X banks are required to set apart an amount equal to the average over the previous three years of 15% of positive annual gross income. In The Standardised Approach, banks’ activities are divided into eight business lines: Corporate finance, Trading & Sales, Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Payment & Settlement, Agency Services, Asset Management and Retail Brokerage.While gross income continues to be the main indicator of operational risk as under the Basic Indicator Approach, the specific amount to be set apart as a percentage of the gross income varies between business lines, ranging from 12 to 18% , as compared to the 15% overall under the Basic Indicator Approach. This approach is more refine d than the Basic Indicator Approach as it takes into the account the fact that some business lines are riskier than others and therefore a higher proportion of capital has to be set apart for those business lines.The Advanced MeasurementApproach(AMA)isbasedonthebanks’internalmodels to quantify operational risk. The framework gives flexibility to the banks in the characteristics of the choice of internal models, though it requires banks to demonstrate that the operational risk measures meet a soundness standard comparable to a one-year holding period and a 99. 9% confidence level, which means that a bank’s capital charge should be equal to at least 99. 9% quantile of their annual aggregate loss distribution.Banks are required to factor in four key elementsindesigningtheirAdvancedMeasurementApproach framework: internal loss data, external loss data, scenario analysis and bank specific business environmental and internal control factors. The methodologies under the advanc ed approach are evolving and there are a range of methods in practice in banks internationally. OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIAN BANKING SECTOR: The Reserve Bank of India is the regulator and supervisor of the banking system in India and is entrusted with the task of framing the capital adequacy guidelines for banks in India under Basel II.Public sector banks, where the Government of India is the major shareholder, dominate the Indian banking system, accounting for nearly three-fourths of total assets and income. These banks are large and very old banks, operating through thousands of branches spread all over the country. The new private sector banks are fully automated from day-one and operate like other high-tech foreign banks. The private sector banks have grown rapidly since the onset of reforms and have increased their share in total assets of the banking industry, whereas the public sector banks have witnessed shrinkage in their market share.The public sect or banks have only recently started automating their processes and operations. This transition has posed significant challenges in the management of operational risk to the banks as introduction of new technology and complete overhauling of the existing systems requires a re-engineering of business processes, training of manpower, audit in a computerized environment and other related operational risk challenges. The new generation private sector banks on the other hand have to deal with the risks arising from growth at a scorchingpace.WiththereformsintheIndianbankingsectorand banks being allowed to access new markets and sophisticated products, the Reserve Bank of India has also been repeatedly advising the banks to have in place an effective and resilient control framework in place to manage operational risks. Specific guidance on management of operational risk has also been issued as per which some banks; especially the larger and internationally active banks are expected to move along the range towards more sophisticated pproaches as they develop more sophisticated operational risk management systems and practices which meet the prescribed qualifying criteria. Conclusion: ManagingOperationalRiskisemergingasanimportantelement of sound risk management practice in modern day banks in the wake of phenomenal increase in volume of transactions, high degree of structural changes and complex technological support systems. RBI expects all Indian banks to strengthen their operation risk management system and to INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH X 7 ReseaRch PaPeR e in readiness to graduate to more sophisticated approaches of operational risk management under Basel norms. In order to derive maximum gains banks need to gear up efforts for speedy and effective implementation of comprehensive Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X operational risk management frameworks and thereby bring more efficiency, transparency, profitability and sustainabi lity into their operations. REFERENCE Reserve Bank of India, Department of Banking Operations and Development, Central Office, Mumbai, (2005), â€Å"Draft guidance note on management of operational risk†, 2.Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (August, 2003) â€Å"The Joint Forum Operational risk transfer across financial sectors†, 3. Usha, Janaki, Raman, (2008) â€Å"Operational Risk Management in Indian Banks in the Context of Basel II: A Survey of the State of Preparedness and Challenges in Developing the Framework†, 4. Rao, D, Tripati and Ghosh, Prodipta, (2008) â€Å"Preparedness of Indian Banks in Managing Operational Risk†, 5. Kale, Ketan and Agarwal, Mohit, Marsh India, (2011) â€Å"Operational Risk Mitigation & Basel II Accord – Challenges & Opportunities†. 8 X INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH

Learning Environments Essay

The education system we follow today began about 300 years ago. The aim was to facilitate standardisation amongst people who would function efficiently as apprentices. The system served its purpose towards practical outcomes very well, to that time. It became progressively more and more competitive. Schools focused on rote based learning aimed at numerical scores, with less focus on aspects like critical thinking, analytical approach, creative thinking etc. Students were pushed through this system under tremendous stress with little room for imagination, out of the box thinking, spontaneous decision making, leadership qualities etc. Only a smaller percentage of students were able to come through this system with such abilities fully developed. The system has not changed significantly in its methodology and purpose over a period of time. Thus, the present day system is less than adequate to bring out the full potential of young and creative students who do not cope with the rote regim e. Educational institutions should prepare and equip young minds to seek knowledge in a rational and scientific manner. It should also facilitate progressive growth of their intellect, creative and critical thinking and their ability to apply the knowledge gained. Recent study shows the increase in number of students dropping out of schools. Non affordability, lack of interest, inability to cope with the syllabus are some reasons why students drop out of school (1). On closer examination it will not be difficult to find many useful talents in these students branded as dropouts. There is a need to identify and nurture them for them to be grown in a positive manner. It is important that these students get due attention and care. It is important for these students to be able to choose a dignified career and excel in their field. Therefore, there is a need to take a look on how education and learning is perceived today and seek alternatives that could help in improvement. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The number of school dropouts in India is not small. In a study in 2010, Reddy and Sinha? stated that of the more than 27 million children in India, who joined in Class I in 1993, only 10 million of them reached Class X, which is only about 37% of those who entered the school system and in more than half the states, only 30% of children reached Class X. With the implementation of RTE, of course, there has been a gradual decline in the annual average dropout rate from 9.1 in 2009-2010 to 6.9 in 2010-114 but there have been more children dropout in 2010-11 as compared to 2009-2010 in 10 out of the 30 states where RTE has been notified, including progressive states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat that had increased dropout ratio from 0.1% to 1.2% and 3.9% to 4.3% respectively in 2009-10 and 2010-115 (2). According to IANS report (New Delhi, November 14, 2013), the dropout rate of 2013 was 43%. They also state that the quality of education continues to remain a matter of concern, both in terms of infrastructure as well as teaching and learning outcomes. Recent st udy shows that the dropout rate in India is dependent on factors like: 1. Family economic circumstances are important to meet the hidden and upfront costs of schooling, failure of which leads to many temporary as well as permanent dropouts of children. Hidden costs of schooling include opportunity cost, travel cost, uniform, daily expenditures, while upfront costs include admission fee, examination fee, tuition fees etc. 2. Poor quality education is another important cause of school dropout. Sen’s capabilities approach highlights poor quality education as a primary driver of school drop-out. 3. Failure to find a conducive social environment in school is also causes dropout. In 2001 Robert Croninger and Valerie E. Lee found lower dropout rates in schools where students report receiving more support from teachers for their academic work and where teachers report that students receive more guidance about both school and personal matters. 4. Dropout decision also depends upon the academic performance of the student. Poor school performance, low attendance and late enrolment are likely to be signals for teachers that children with these characteristics are more likely to drop out. In another study, Amit Choudhury in 2006 found attitude towards education as an important determinant of school dropout. Prof. Amartya Kumar Sen, Nobel laureate in Economics of 1998, has also pointed out that for sustainable development even the poorest of the poor should be provided proper education and accordingly steps have to be taken to bring primary education to the  doorsteps of the rural people, since more than 75 per cent of Indians live in rural areas. Despite many measures for attainment of Education for All (EFA) goals of the new millennium, there, however, have been high rate of school dropouts in India. Thus we see that school dropout is caused by many factors. Among many factors, some have greater influence as compared to the others. Possible suitable initiatives are required for mitigating this problem. Policy options, among others, include – elimination of poverty, improvement of school infrastructures, increased numbers of trained teachers, and adaptation of a curriculum that cater to the present needs and so on. The govt. has now taken initiatives like Mahila Samakhya Scheme, provided quotas in various institutes etc. to make sure education is available to a large no of people. These programs and schemes mainly help in increasing the overall literacy rate of our country. Over the years it is found that students merely learn how to answer questions from an exam point of view. Understanding the information in a way that they use it in their daily life is not taught. Therefore, even though children go through the process of schooling, not many can be actually called educated. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (or the National Program for Universal Elementary Education) has initiated the Activity Based Learning (ABL) as a concept for primary level education in the corporation schools. This scheme has also been introduced in the Panchayat Union Schools. The ABL approach is unique and effective to attract out-of -school children to schools/AIE centers. The teachers who are involved in implementing this me thod have developed activities for each learning unit which facilitated readiness for learning, instruction, reinforcement and evaluation. ABL has transformed the classrooms into hubs of activities and meaningful learning. Hence there is a direct relation to the facilities design requirements for such emerging pedagogies. Education is now becoming a way to teach the child how to learn and express in a way that is fulfilling to his being. Therefore it is important for educators and designers to collaborate and create conducive learning environments. AIM: This thesis aims at making education a more meaningful experience for students (dropouts). OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY To develop a publically available space in to an informal learning space. This space will be accessible to children of different age groups and income groups. or The study seeks to explore factors that facilitate quality learning and suggest a design for such learning spaces or institutions Attempt to study the psychology of the user. Attempt to study the effect of architectural elements (such as, light, volume of spaces, colours, materials etc.) on learning environments. STUDY QUESTIONS How can architecture contribute to develop an unconventional (replace this word) learning environment? DEFINITIONS Learning Environment: The term environment denotes the totality of the surroundings and conditions in which something or someone lives or functions. A discussion about learning environments starts with a physical space, a virtual equivalent, or at least a set of organizational principles that had their origins in a conventionally space-influenced model. Whether a classroom, an island in a virtual domain, or a chat room in a learning management system (LMS), this core place features connections to other places and resources. These might be other learning spaces, but they are also likely to be places outside the educational world. A learning environment consists of a wide set of features that affect learning. The idea of a learning environment implies a setting where intentions and design cannot account for everything that happens; some elements escape control or are at least unintended. Environment, then, is a mix of the deliberate and the accidental, the conjunction of planned and unanticipated events. Sp ace becomes environment when it is stretched to include a broader sense of place, as well as the people who participate and the culture in which these elements are situated. Since students spend several hours of their day at school, it is important that they relate to this space emotionally and physically. The learning environment and methodology followed must nurture creativity and intellectual thinking of students to the fullest of their potential. Informal Learning: Informal learning is, by default, any learning that is not formal learning. For all learners this includes heuristic language building, socialization, enculturation, and play. Informal learning is a persistent and pervasive ongoing process of student-centered learning via participation or learning via knowledge creation, in contrast with the traditional view of teacher-centered learning via acquisition. Self-directed learning: â€Å"In its broadest meaning, ’self-directed learning’ describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with our without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes.† (Knowles, 1975, p. 18) Of primary concern in this definition of SDL is the fact the learner takes 1) The initiative to pursue a learning experience, and 2) The responsibility for completing their learning. Once the initiative is taken, the learner assumes complete responsibility and accountability for defining the learning experience and following it through to its conclusion. This does not preclude input from others, but the final decision is the learner’s. Self-direction does not mean the learner learns alone or in isolation. While, that may be the case in any given learning situation, the critical factor here, again, is the fact the learner is driving the total learning experience, beginning with recognizing a need to learn. METHOD OF STUDY The inquiry on learning environments is organized in two phases. The first phase develops through a literature search on alternative pedagogy that gathers a comprehensive understanding on the various pedagogical and theoretical works relating to learning. This chapter is followed by a discourse among educators and architects on learning environment and the architectural response to educational facilities design. A logical argumentative research is done trying to associate these statements with learning environments. The second phase explores selected case studies that help contextualize the above data and draw inferences to support the argument. The last chapter in this study builds on the findings and the analyses of the previous chapters to discuss the environmental factors related to learning, thereby defining the premise for the final architectural design solution. Sandstone is locally available (Delhi). This makes transportation easy. It is mostly used to clad surfaces and has a very neutral tone. In Delhi, use of sandstone is very common. You would find it used in colonial buildings, Mughal buildings and even on pathways. The material has a slight matt-finish and generally creates a very warm ambience. Exposed Brick: this material has a matt-finish. Bricks can be used to create various patterns in the wall. Ar. Laurie Baker used exposed bricks for low cost building. It is warm in nature and creates excitement when used with a splash of colours in certain places. References: 1. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 1(4), 28-35, December (2012) School Dropout across Indian States and UTs: An Econometric Study 2. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 1(4), 28-35, December (2012) School Dropout across Indian States and UTs: An Econometric Study Material Used: Walls: exposed brick / rammed earth Floor: terracotta tiles / kota stone / sandstone