6 of the Best WordPress Audio Player Plugins Compared in 2019

If audio files make up the bulk of the content on your WordPress website, you should know that WordPress audio player plugins can make it a lot easier to present and render podcasts and music.While WordPress does have  a built-in feature to handle audio files, its quite basic.So if youre looking for audio players with customization options or to display popouts, allow downloads, sell tracks, or more, one of these WordPress audio player plugins offers a much better approach. AudioIgniter Author(s): The CSSIgniter TeamCurrent Version: 1.5.1Last Updated: July 16, 2019audioigniter.1.5.1.zip 94%Ratings 28,549Downloads WP 4.9+Requires Lets start with AudioIgniter, a plugin thatll help you create playlists in under five minutes, or even stream your own radio show.Simple to install and use, it adds a Playlists menu item to your dashboard. Starting from there, you can go on to click Add Playlist and build as many playlists as you want, and choose to enable or disable auto-looping.I n the editor, you can fill in fields for name of song, artist and add as many tracks as you want. Once youre happy with the list, save it, copy the shortcode, and paste it on any post or page.Heres how it appears on the frontend. Visitors can adjust the volume on the player.Key features:Integrates with WooCommerce to sell music digitallyA Buy Now custom field to sell tracks convenientlyEach playlist can have its own settingsMove multiple tracks into playlist using bulk upload feature (Pro)Customize the color of the player and edit with Visual Composer support (Pro)Widget available, and player position can be fixed (Pro)With the Pro plugin, you can do more on the interface like rearrange tracks, specify lyrics per track, categorize them, and set individual tracks on repeat mode. Not just the interface, youll be able to change options on the playlist too wherever you embed it. Its tested with more than 150 themes, so you can be fairly certain about compatibility.Price: The free versio n may be sufficient if all that you need is to create a simple playlist or even multiple playlists displaying some fields. But for more features, you can purchase a Pro license for $49.2. Compact WP Audio Player Compact WP Audio Player Author(s): Tips and Tricks HQCurrent Version: 1.9.6Last Updated: May 1, 2019compact-wp-audio-player.zip 82%Ratings 356,465Downloads WP 3.0+Requires Compact WP Audio Player is one plugin that doesnt take up space on your screens. It simply adds a Play button on the frontend of a post, making it one of the coolest WordPress audio player plugins. The button changes to Pause while the song plays.Youll be able to modify settings to allow autoplay, looping, and volume control. The plugin is responsive and files play on all devices.Key features:Create podcasts or add songs by embedding an .mp3 or .ogg file in your page or postAudio file plays as soon as page loads on account of autoplayDoesnt occupy space on your screensOffers a preview for sale of a udio filesHTML5 compatible, so works with iOS devices tooTheres really not much to support long playlists, so you may want to skip this plugin if you want to create albums. On the other hand, if you like the idea of multiple Play buttons, you can list multiple tracks on your post or page, with each track having its own compact audio player button.The plugin makes it easy to offer pre-sales previews. A premade template is included, and a shortcode tweak allows seek bar addition and volume control. Youll be able to change the color of the button via the themes CSS. Besides, when added to header or footer, itll play only on your homepage.Price: Free3. PowerPress Podcasting Plugin PowerPress Podcasting plugin by Blubrry Author(s): BlubrryCurrent Version: 8.0.1Last Updated: October 9, 2019powerpress.8.0.1.zip 94%Ratings 1,551,998Downloads WP 3.6+Requires One of the most popular WordPress audio player plugins, PowerPress enjoys 60,000+ active installations and can be freely downlo aded from the WordPress repository.Its great for podcasting, allowing you to submit episodes to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google podcasts. If youre hosting your media files on BluBrry Podcasting, youll be able to submit to Spotify as well.Whats helpful is you can choose to go the whole distance with the Advanced mode or keep it simple with the default simple mode, and activate additional features as you become familiar with its ways. The simple mode will hold your hand as you create your first podcast with basic settings.Once youre done configuring the settings, youll see a neat player added to the frontend.Key features:Track your podcasts with basic stats for free (or with all details for $5 per month)Integrates your media player and embeds it in your posts and pagesCreate subscribe pages and optimize for podcast SEOSupports multi podcast, podcast categories, post type, and post taxonomyPlace player below or above content, or exactly where you want by using player shortc odeOptions to add YouTube embeds, allow downloads, or play in new windowOther advanced features include managing user roles, post type/taxonomy/premium podcasting. It supports Multisite, as well as migration of podcasts from other podcasting plugins, or from other services/platforms such as LibSyn, PodBeam, SoundCloud, or Squarespace.Price: Free4. Audio Dock Themify Audio Dock Author(s): ThemifyCurrent Version: 1.0.4Last Updated: March 8, 2019themify-audio-dock.zip 76%Ratings 4,896Downloads WP 4.3+Requires If youre looking to create any suitable mood for visitors as they browse your site, Audio Dock wont disappoint. To get the player to appear on your screen, youll first have to create a track in the Audio Dock settings area via Admin Settings Audio Dock.Youll be able to add as many tracks as you want, adjust colors for bar and tracks, and enable autoplay.Once youre done, youll find a neat sticky player added to the bottom of your screen on the frontend.Key features:Works with any WordPress themeAdd your own custom title for each trackResponsive, fits any screen sizeAdd any number of audio tracksCustom bar and track colorWith Audio Dock, all it takes is a few simple steps to get a neat player at the bottom of your screens.Price: Free5. Cue Cue by AudioTheme.com Author(s): On the frontend, a user can control volume or skip tracks.Key features:Cue is responsiveCreate unlimited playlists and embed them anywhere, including in a widgetConnect to external sources like Amazon S3 or a content delivery network (CDN)Customize player background imageThe Pro plugin offers themes to change the appearance of the player, and offers purchase or download links for each track. Moreover, visitors can continue playing with the player in a popup and share playlists with friends. Youll also have access to insight into how visitors interact with your track.Price: $496. MP3-jPlayer MP3-jPlayer Author(s): Simon WardCurrent Version: 2.7.3Last Updated: January 24, 2019mp 3-jplayer.2.7.3.zip 82%Ratings 450,779Downloads WP 2.9+Requires MP3-jPlayer is a responsive audio player with shuffle mode and download option. Just upload audios to the media library and choose title and track information to display on the player. From the settings panel, you can enable autoplay, adjust volume, and allow looping, and resume playback.Under the Media tab, you can select the folder path or URL to play some of your audio from. If youre playing from local folders, you can choose to bulk play entire folders. You can also select the file formats to play during bulk play.When it comes to player design, you get to pick from dark or light skins. Else, opt for custom CSS to control the colors of different player elements such as load bar or position bar.Besides, you can choose fonts for titles and playlist, alignments and player dimensions, and change the position of buttons. Hide the entire playlist to have only background music, or get the position slider to fill the w hole image or screen.Key features:Highly customizable player, allowing you to adjust dimensions, color, and alignmentAllows popouts, as well as downloadsSimple shortcode to play entire folders or the entire libraryPlay via media library or feedMP3-jPlayer does take a bit of time to navigate the settings, but once youve got it right, its really among the best WordPress audio player plugins for podcasts or any other audio content.Price: FreeGet started with your WordPress audio playerThats it folks, our list of the best WordPress audio player plugins.Have you tried any? Any questions about which one is right for you? Ask away in the comments! Want to add an audio player to your #WordPress site? Check out the 6 best audio player plugins! 🔊

AP English Literature - Learn What Score You Need

AP English Literature - Learn What Score You Need AP English Literature and Composition is one of the more popular Advanced Placement subjects. Nevertheless,  roughly 175,000 more students took the AP English Language course and exam in 2018. The literature course is primarily focused on college-level literary analysis, and students who do well on the AP English Literature exam will often earn college credit for composition or literature. About the AP English Literature Course and Exam The AP English Literature course covers important literary works from a range of genres, periods and cultures. Students learn close-reading and analytical skills, and they learn to identify a literary works structure, style, tone, and use of literary conventions such as imagery and figurative language.   Students in AP Literature work at becoming active readers; in other words, they learn to become thoughtful and critical readers who can analyze and appreciate the various writing strategies employed by a wide range of authors.   The course has no required reading list, and individual AP instructors are free to choose any literary works that invite a rewarding reading experience. Genres will include poetry, drama, fiction, and expository prose. Most texts will have been originally written in English and may have originated in the United States, Canada, England, Africa, India, and elsewhere. A few works- such as a Russian classic or Greek tragedy- might be read in translation. The focus of the course, however, is much more on reading and writing skills, not specific authors. On the writing front, students learn to write effective analytical essays that employ a wide-ranging and appropriate vocabulary, effective and varied sentence structures, logical organization, strategic use of both generalization and specific detail, and careful attention to rhetorical forms, voice, and tone. AP English Literature Score Information Many colleges and universities have a composition and/or literature requirement, so a high score on the AP English Literature exam will often fulfill one of these requirements. The AP English Literature and Composition test has a one-hour multiple-choice section and a two-hour free-response writing section. The score on the is based on a combination of the multiple choice section (45 percent  of score) and the free-response essay section (55 percent of score).   In 2018, 404,014 students took the exam and earned a mean score of 2.57. Close to half of those students (47.3 percent) received a score of 3 or higher indicating that they have enough mastery of the subject matter to potentially earn college credit or course placement. The distribution of scores for the AP English Literature exam is as follows: AP English Literature Score Percentiles (2018 Data) Score Number of Students Percentage of Students 5 22,826 5.6 4 58,765 14.5 3 109,700 27.2 2 145,307 36.0 1 67,416 16.7 The College Board has released preliminary score percentages for the 2019 exam. Keep in mind that these numbers may change slightly as late exams are added to the calculations. Preliminary 2019 AP English Literature Score Data Score Percentage of Students 5 6.2 4 15.9 3 28 2 34.3 1 15.6 College Credit and Course Placement for AP English Literature The table below provides some representative data from a variety of colleges and universities. This information is meant to provide a general overview of the scoring and placement information related to the AP English Literature exam. For schools not listed below, youll need to look on the colleges website or contact the appropriate Registrars office to get AP placement information. AP English Literature Scores and Placement College Score Needed Placement Credit Hamilton College 4 or 5 Placement into some 200-level courses; 2 credits for score of 5 and B- or higher in a 200-level course Grinnell College 5 ENG 120 LSU 3, 4 or 5 ENGL 1001 (3 credits) for a 3; ENGL 1001 and 2025 or 2027 or 2029 or 2123 (6 credits) for a 4; ENGL 1001, 2025 or 2027 or 2029 or 2123, and 2000 (9 credits) for a 5 Mississippi State University 3, 4 or 5 EN 1103 (3 credits) for a 3; EN 1103 and 1113 (6 credits) for a 4 or 5 Notre Dame 4 or 5 First Year Composition 13100 (3 credits) Reed College 4 or 5 1 credit; no placement Stanford University - No credit for AP English Literature Truman State University 3, 4 or 5 ENG 111 Introduction to the Short Story (3 credits) UCLA (School of Letters and Science) 3, 4 or 5 8 credits and entry writing requirement for a 3; 8 credits, entry writing requirement and English Comp Writing I requirement for a 4 or 5 Yale University 5 2 credits; ENGL 114a or b, 115a or b, 116b, 117b A Final Word on AP English Literature Keep in mind that another benefit to the successful completion of an AP Literature course is that it helps demonstrate your college readiness in a core subject area. Most of the countrys highly selective colleges and universities have  holistic admissions, and the admissions officers look not just at your GPA, but  how challenging your course work is. Colleges would much rather see you successfully complete a challenging college preparatory class in English than an easy English elective. AP Literature shows that you are taking the most advanced course possible in literature. So even at a school like Stanford that does not award any credit or placement for AP English Literature, your decision to take the class still strengthens your application. To learn more specific information about the AP English Literature exam, be sure to visit the  official College Board website.

What do you think the likelihood of success will be for President Essay

What do you think the likelihood of success will be for President Obama to implement the remaining items of his agenda - Essay Example Congress members from both fronts of the political divide all have an input in what is to be implemented and what is not. They exercise their power through voting for or against any policy. For any of these items to be implemented, a majority of the Senate members must vote for the item through persuasion and lobbying. The likelihood of President Obama to implement the items of his agenda that are yet to be done is high. The fulfillment of items in his agenda led to the recent up-surge in his approval ratings. President Reagan is an excellent example of a president who was able to push his agenda forward despite all odds. His changes especially in the budget and tax reforms cannot go unnoticed.2 Reagan was successful in his bid to implement his agenda because he possessed the self discipline and clarity required to control the agenda. His strategy was to take on an issue a time rather than to have a full plate that neither he nor congress could handle at a time. President Jimmy Carter, on the other hand, was relatively unsuccessful. This was because the challenge of being president was simply overwhelming. He did not prioritize his agenda laying emphasis on the most urgent ones and lacked enthusiasm. He instead took on everything at a go, and this portrayed him as a man who had no concrete plan for the nation. His style of handling business did not impress Congress

2000 word outline research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

2000 word outline research proposal - Essay Example Till 9/11 happened, apparently US didn’t really catch up with the seriousness of the issue. There have been instances like the US embassy bombings in different parts of the world. But such instances were considered mainly as failure of those nations in safeguarding the interests of USA, and nobody actually thought that one day, two US commercial flights full of passengers will collide with its own twin towers and result in killing around 3000 citizens of the world. They were office workers, waiters, police, firemen, moms, dads, friends and neighbors. Thereafter began an era of hunting for the terrorists and their links. It involved gathering info from everywhere with techniques like cyber-snooping. Attention was diverted towards Afghanistan because there was no regime as such. The ruling combine called Taliban did not believe in human rights and controlled the country with terror at gun point. Women were treated like third class citizens, not allowed to attend public functions and schools. One prosperous sheikh from Saudi Arab called Osama Bin Laden was there to help the regime with finances and arms. He had his own set of people ranging from nuclear scientists, engineers, villagers and other trusted lieutenants around him. They had their own ideology of calling the countries like US, UK, India, Israel etc. as the enemies of Muslims. For this very reason they gave calls for Jihad against these countries in particular. Afghanistan has the misfortune of being in news for all the wrong reasons since the late 1970s. It was in 1979 that Soviet troupes from the then USSR invaded Afghanistan and engineered a regime change. These forces remained in Afghanistan for the next 10 years, b ut not before resistance forces were armed with lethal weapons and trained manpower. Thereafter began a bloody era of revenge when the erstwhile President was hanged in broad daylight in the middle of the road. This bloody has not stopped since then. The areas bordering

Effects of Alcoholism Essay Example for Free

Effects of Alcoholism Essay I never thought drinking alcohol could destroy all I had worked for. Sure, I have had my share of hangovers. However, to think I was hurting myself or others never came to mind. I had a great job and really liked the people I worked with. I worked hard and played harder. Going out with my friends and drinking was a major part of my social life. The thought of calling a cab or getting a ride was not a congenital thought. It would take a head on car crash with another vehicle to change my life forever. When I was about seven years old, my dad had a few of his friends over to watch a football game. I took one of the beers when no one was looking and went into the garage. I opened it and took a big gulp. I spit it out and thought, â€Å"This stuff tastes terrible, how can anyone drink this and like it†? It took until I was in my teens to try beer again. I was with my two best friends and one of them had stolen a six-pack of beer from his dad. We each took a can and opened it. I remember taking my first sip and thinking it was warm. I did not like it, but I was not going to let my friends know that. Therefore, we each drank the first can. I could feel a warm glow permeate my body. When we drank the second can, I felt high and became intoxicated. From that moment on, I drank for the effect not the taste. After I got my driver’s license, my friends and I would go to the bars and drink. When it was time to go I would get in my car and drive home. This went on for years. I always thought I could handle my liquor. When my friends would be pulled over and get a D.  U. I. , I thought they were lightweights and could not hold their liquor. As I grew older, I began to work in the hospitality industry of nightclubs and restaurants. I really enjoyed what I did and was good at it. During this time, I would always have a drink or two at closing time. After we closed, I would get a cocktail for the road. This went on for years. As the years progressed so did my consumption of alcohol. I grew tired of the hospitality industry and changed jobs. I started work in the heavy construction industry. I became close friends with a group of people I worked with. We would meet after work at a bar or restaurant and have some drinks. When it was time to go, I would get a drink for the road. This habit continued until one day I was going to my best friend and his wife’s log home they were building on some land in Northeast Missouri. They were having a house warming and Fourth of July party. They were going to have a huge barbeque with all their neighbors and some friends followed by a giant fireworks display. I began my day to leave for the party by going to work. I had a very strenuous day without any breaks. When I got home, a friend shows up and we have a couple of drinks. I pack my car and said goodbye to my friend. I made a drink for the road and headed out. I do not remember a thing after that. I came to in a hospital. The nurse said I was in an accident and I was hurt very bad. She said I had been in a car accident and that I had a head on collision with another vehicle. She explained that I was in a coma for fifteen days. That I had a broken pelvis, hip, ribs, knee cap and collapsed lung. When the doctor came by to see me, he informed me I had some brain damage and that I would probably not walk again. My brother was there and explained to me what the police had told him. He said that I had crossed the centerline of the highway and hit a car head on. The other car had a mother with her four young children. Thank God they were not seriously injured and did not require a hospital stay. Once the hospital lowered my condition to stable, the Missouri Highway Patrol came and took me to jail. I was charged with five counts of second-degree assault and one count of possession of a firearm while intoxicated. All of these charges are felonies. I was tried, convicted, and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. I served four months in a prison treatment facility and I was released on parole with five years probation. I lost my job. I lost my life’s savings. I lost my car. I am crippled and cannot work. What drinking and driving has cost me is being paid with every step I take and the thought of what I could have done to that family.

Personality Interests And Career Suitability

Personality Interests And Career Suitability The purpose of this report is to examine my suitability for the career I wish to pursue as well as look at other areas that maybe more suited to my personality and interests. I will highlight my suitability to the career in which I have chosen through self-awareness and career exercises. I will be analysing these findings and determining my suitability for my chosen career as well as the implications that I may face. I will then review potential career opportunities of interest to me and why I have chosen this particular career as well as reviewing the selection procedure that I would have to go through in order to join the Metropolitan police service. Finally, I will produce an action plan for the next 5 years based on my career and life goals and the steps I would need to take in order to achieve my goals. Throughout this report I will be referring to material that I have used that can be located at the end of this report in the appendixes. A Future on the Front Line Initial Reflections In my Career Planning Preparation Questionnaire  [1]  (See Appendix I), I outlined occupations that I was considering. After further thought into this, I have decided that my main goal is to join the Metropolitan Police Service, although I will be conducting research into Mi5 as a back up option if I was not successful in joining the Police service. The report was very accurate in that it stated that I was a very confident person and knew what interests me and what sort of career I would like to pursue which I believe will be evident throughout this report. In the comments section at the end of each section I set my self tasks to complete, I have done all of these I purchased the book stated, this proved useful when completing assignment one in for which I got a very good grade. I have completed the Prospects Planner  [2]  (Appendix V) and this will be referred to throughout. I have also conducted extensive research into the Metropolitan Police service and Mi5. Self- Awareness Analysis and Reflection Following the Type Dynamics Indicator  [3]   In order to understand the type of person I am and what sort of job my personality would be best suited to and that implications that may arise I conducted the Type Dynamics Indicator Exercise (Appendix II) After answering a number of questions, the indicator suggested that I preferred the style of co-ordinator. This is one of the most organised and responsible of the types. A more detailed analysis can be found in the appendix. When I read the report and compared it to how I view myself and how this would fit into the police force, I found it to be very useful and insightful. Throughout my career I have always preferred an ordered and disciplined work environment, hands on roles rather than office based work, and I loathe work which is unstructured or wastes time. My preferred style also explains why creative writing and performing arts have never interested me, as this is not typical of a co-ordinator. I enjoy taking responsibility in teams, which is evident throughout my academic and voluntary roles. I was form representative throughout secondary school, college and university. I was also chair of Basildon Youth council for 3 years. According to the report, the above elements are very typical of a co-ordinator. I can be a very tough leader. I am very organised and ensure everyone has a task and a deadline by which to complete it by. I will also put equal if not more work into the task as well and respect those who do too. Many co-ordinators are found in the police force. This is because they are organised, traditional, loyal and efficient and the job gives them a role where duty, courage and a sense of responsibility are the foundations and together with purpose, direction and delivery. I think my preferred style is very suited to a career in the Police force. Although areas I may wish to improve are flexibility, allowing people to do things in their own way and being more appreciative to other peoples feelings. My Strengths and Weaknesses I used the activity How Well Do You Know Yourself  [4]  to help me highlight my strengths and weaknesses. I had to select five words that described me, including at least one weakness, I asked two of my house mates whom I have lived with for 2 years to do the same. The results are outlined below. How I see myself: Outgoing Moody Driven Reliable Authoritative How others see me: Aggressive Outgoing Confident Driven Authoritative It appears that I see myself very similar to how others see me. Both my friends and I also stated that I was driven which hopefully will stand out when I go for through the selection process and promotions. One of my weaknesses that I put down was that I can be moody, this was not picked up on by my friends by they did state that I can be aggressive. This may prove a problem when in the police force and so I should try to be less aggressive and abrupt when dealing with people as this may aggravate situations, instead I will be more authoritative as this will also resolve situations. Because I have been involved in voluntary work from a young age this is also one of my major strengths as not only do the police view those who have undertaken voluntary work very highly I have also worked in a wide range of different teams with different police and developed numerous skills such as communication, presenting, leadership, teamwork, delegation and compromising. The work I have also undertaken with the police with add to my strengths further as I have a more in depth knowledge of the workings of the police that not a lot of other candidates will. Analysis of Career Interests To assist me to identify my career interests I used the John Holland Career Interest Inventory  [5]  . My Results stated that my code was ESI. A description of the different aspects is below. Realistic Investigative Artistic Social Enterprising Conventional People who have athletic or mechanical ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors. People who like to observe,learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate or solve problems. People who have artistic, innovating or intuitional abilities and like to work in unstructured situations using their imagination and creativity. People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train, or cure them, or are skilled with words. People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, performing, leading or managing for organizational goals or economic gain. People who like to work with data, have clerical or numerical ability, carry out tasks in detail or follow through on others instructions 6 My most popular interest area was enterprising. A more detailed analysis of this on the same website, said that I am self confident, assertive, ambitious, popular and extroverted  [7]  which are similar qualities to those highlighted in my strengths and weakness section. It also stated that I enjoy heading meetings, evidence of which is my 3 years as chair of Basildon Youth Council and achieving awards, something that of course I always enjoy. Occupations that matched my code included, computer operators, paramedic and stoke brooking, although none of these careers has ever interested me. A police officer matches the Holland code of SER. I matched the social and enterprising aspect but lacked in the realistic aspect as in the description it stated that the interests include working with machinery, plants, and tools which is something that does not appeal to me. I still believe my interests match closely with that of a Police officer and that my interests will still be fulfilled. Analysis of Career motivators and Drivers I completed an exercise  [8]  developed by Dave Francis in order to highlight my career drivers (Appendix III). The two highest scoring elements were material rewards and power/influence. I was not surprised by the power/influence element as I enjoy taking on responsibility and believe I perform better in teams that I am leading. I was surprised by the material rewards element. I have never considered myself a material person, but that maybe because I have never been in a strong financial position as I am from a low-income background. My need for a better life where I do not have to worry about money maybe what is driving me to succeed and may be why I have chosen to take a degree in order to be able to apply for the high development scheme within the police force to aid my promotion prospects. I maybe further motivate to gain promotion because power and influence drives me to succeed. I dont think I would be happy in a career which does not allow me to develop or where there is no opportunity for promotion. Prospects Planner Results I completed a personal profile on the prospectus website  [9]  (Appendix IV). In the skills area I matched 100% in three areas, counselling, social and guidance services, human resources and employment and legal services. I believe this is a good match to me as I have been involved in a lot of youth and community engagement work through my voluntary roles and I enjoyed this very much. I also undertook a 4-week work placement while I was at school with McCormacks Criminal Defence Solicitors that I enjoyed too. I was surprised that I scored so highly on human resources as this is an area I have never considered or interested me before. My highest scoring on my interests and motivations was again counselling at 71% and teaching at 69%. I was surprised that I scored highly on teaching as this is another area that has never interested me. My combined profile matched most highly with counselling with legal services very close behind. Both of these have interested me throughout my life and I would consider a career in these areas if I were unsuccessful in my original career plans or wanted a change of career later in life. Appendix V demonstrates how well my combined profile matches the job of a police officer. My overall match was good however; there are some areas that I scored ok or poorly in. After looking at the report the areas in which I have said I would like to avoid or be a minor part of my job are those that I would not mind incorporating into my career. They are things I am competent at so I do not think they will prevent me from enjoying or performing my role as a police officer My Career and Life Goals Pass my driving test Have a degree with a 2.1 or first class classification Successfully gain employment with the metropolitan police service Gain promotion Career opportunities Although a large part of this report will be based on the Police force I have also conducted research into Mi5 as I will need a back up option if I were not successful in joining the police. Mi5 Graduate Positions Graduate positions within Mi5 are advertised on their website (http://www.mi5careers.gov.uk) a specification of a job that would appeal to me is attached to this report  [10]  (Appendix VI). Before you apply for the job you are invited to complete a short test  [11]  of scenarios with possible responses which you have to select in order to test your suitability to the role. I conducted this exercise and a copy of my results can be found under appendix VII. Eligibility Criteria In order to join you have to be at least 18 years old, you must be a British citizen and one of your parents also has to be. You have to have been resident in Britain for at least 9 out of the last 10 years prior to your application. This does not apply to those who have been serving abroad with HM Forces. You also have to be of good mental and physical health. Depending on the role you apply for you may have to meet other requirements such as degree classification or previous experience. Recruitment Process The recruitment process is quite lengthy and can last up to 6 months. The first step is to get an application form from one of the services external recruitment agencies. If your application meets the required standard you will then be shot listed and the best candidates on the short list will be invited for a competency based interview with the services graduate recruitment team. If successful you will then attend a one day assessment centre where a range of competencies will be tested. Successful completion of this will lead onto another interview this time with the services vetting section. This will last for at least 2 hours and will involve personal questions about your background and lifestyle to ensure you are suitable to having access to sensitive material. Those who pass this element will return for a final interview with the final selection board. If successful the vetting process is then complete and a job offer will be made. Depending on what role you are applying for you may need to do additional assessments such as fitness tests, medical examinations and in the case of the vacancy attached to this report you also have to do a 2 hour driving assessment. Training Once you have been appointed you undertake a week long initial induction course prior to taking up then post and then you will undertake a two-year training programme. Metropolitan Police Service Graduate Positions The recruitment process is open to everybody and is not limited to graduates only. In order to apply for the Metropolitan Police Service you have to complete an application form, in which it asks you to give examples of a number of competences. The only way you can get one is to attend one of the recruitment events that are held throughout the year in various different areas of London, details of the events can be found on their website http://www.met.police.uk/careers/events.html. This is to assess your dedication to the force to which you are applying. Eligibility Criteria In order to join the police you must be a British Citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The minimum age is 181/2 but you can apply to join at 18. There are no formal qualifications needed although you will be required to be able to pass the tests. You must also be physically and mentally fit enough to perform the duties of a police officer. Recruitment Process The recruitment process can take in excess of 12 months. If you are successful in the application stage, which 65-75% of people are not due to poorly filled out application forms  [12]  , you will be sent notification of your assessment centre date and information regarding the process. While at the assessment centre, you will be a customer service officer and the scenarios and exercises will be based around a fictitious shopping centre called the Westshire Centre. During the assessment centre, you will undertake two 20 minute written exercises, which could be a report and a letter for example. This will test your problem solving, communication and written skills. The interview is the next part. It generally last 15-20 minutes and you will be asked 4 different questions and you will have to provide examples of things you have done in the past to demonstrate you competency in different areas. You will then go through four interactive role-play stations. At each station you will be given five minutes preparation time at each station in which to study the background information to the role play and make any notes which you can take in with you. When the five minutes are up you will enter a room, interact with a role-play actor, and deal with the situation for five minutes. The last exercise you complete at the assessment centre is the Police Initial Recruitment Test, which consists of two papers; Numeric (12 minutes), and Verbal Logical Reasoning (25 minutes). You will receive results of your assessment centre within 14 days. Each of the competencies tested will be graded between A-D, D being the lowest. If you have passed, you will also be sent details of the next stage of the assessment, which is the fitness tests and medical. Firstly, you will undergo a medical in which your hearing, vision, blood pressure, body fat etc will be tested. Your height and weight will also be taken. If you pass the medical, you can progress to the fitness test. The first stage of the fitness test will measure your upper body strength. There is two parts pushing and pulling, these will both be measured on a Dyno machine. You need pull at 35kg and push at least 34kg to pass. The next test is a bleep test. In this test, you will run between two points 15 meters apart. You will run to one end turn around wait for the beep and run back to the other end before the other beep. As the test, progresses the beeps will get closer and closer together through the levels. You will have to reach at least level 5.4 to pass. Once you have completed this section successfully you will go through the final vetting and reference checks, if this is successful you will then be formally offered employment and fitted for your uniform. Training When you start, you will initially undertake a 5-week module at Hendon Recruit Training School after which you are designated a borough where you will carry out a remaining 26 weeks training as part of the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme.  [13]   Every recruit will undergo a 2-year probationary period before they will become a fully trained constable. High Potential Development Scheme Those who show potential during training will automatically be invited to join the High Potential Development Scheme, you can also apply to join the High Development Potential Scheme after one year with the service, you do not need to have a degree to apply, but you must be able to cope with the academic demands. It is anticipated that there will only be 60 places on the scheme in the Metropolitan Police Force for 2009  [14]  . In order to apply you will have to fill out an application form when they become available, you can find out when they are available from your boroughs HDPS representative. If you are successful the assessment takes place in three stages. Stage one an in-force assessment where candidates will demonstrate the ability to meet the high level eligibility criteria. Forces will be asked to recommend their very best officers. Stage two is a series of ability tests, including tests of your verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability, and a test of your judgement and decision making in a range of managerial scenarios. These tests are designed along the same lines as the selection tests used for the Strategic Command Course, they will ensure that candidates have the ability to deal with the required academic programme. However, dependent on how many people are recommended, these tests may also be used to select the best officers on merit to attend the assessment centre at Stage 3. Stage three is an assessment centre incorporating; written exercises, interactive exercises, an oral briefing exercise and a competency-based interview. Candidates will also take a personality questionnaire. The feedback from the questionnaire will only be used to give all applicants developmental feedback; it is not part of the selection process  [15]  . If you are successful, you will then embark on a two-year development programme leading to a postgraduate diploma related to policing in which you will be assessed throughout the whole process. Workplace support and development is also available. Those who are successful at this stage and still show potential to reach Chief Officer level can go onto the next level where they will undertake further development leading on to a masters. Promotion will be given to those who can show the Chief Officer that they are competent in the next rank and pass the relevant exams; the advantage to this is that they do not have to wait for vacancies to come up and therefore move through the ranks quicker than those who are not on the scheme. Even those who are not on the Scheme can still apply for promotion once they have completed their 2-year probationary period. There are numerous opportunities to specialise further. There are various different departments that you can work in such as the dog section, CID, Scenes of Crime, Intelligence, Terrorist Division, armed response, air support etc. Pay and Benefits During training you will be paid  £28,497 and after completion of training this will rise to  £31,068  [16]  .A more detailed break down of the salary for officers at all different levels can be found as Appendix VIII of this report. You will also have access to a comprehensive pension scheme and free travel within your borough. Why the Police Service? When I was 10 I attended an open day at the local police station. I was amazed at the variety of work they undertook and the job really appealed to me. I started getting involved in volunteer work I became a member of the Basildon Youth Council and this lead on to further opportunities to work closely with the police where I learnt a lot about the force and the job. I continued aiming to become a police officer and decided to study Public Services at college. I wanted a vocational course that enabled me to learn more about the jobs within the police as well as giving me opportunity to work with the police and other organisations. Now I am at University studying the degree of Policing and Criminal Investigation. I chose this I get to study various aspects of the work of the Police in detail as well as learn English law in great depth too. The degree will also assist me when I join the police and apply for the High Development Potential Scheme. A career in the police force appeals to me, as I would like a job that is both challenging and rewarding whilst giving something back to the community and making a different in the lives of those around us. Although it does have some drawbacks. It is a very dangerous career as you are the first response to most violent incidents, some incidents you attend can also be very traumatic. Because of the shift patterns it can leave very little time for a social life and plans which you make may have to be cancelled due to more pressing work. Action Plan I am now going to create an action plan for myself based on my career and life goals previously mentioned. Pass my driving test By the end of summer 2009 I will have passed my driving test. I am going to achieve this by taking a week long crash course in Blackpool, costing around  £1000; this cost will include 40 hours worth of driving, my theory and practical test costs as well. This will assist me when applying for Mi5 and the police service. Have a degree with a 2.1 or first class classification By then end of summer 2010 I hope to have gained my degree with a 2.1 classification or higher. I will achieve this by attending all my lectures and seminars, conducting extra reading and research. Planning assignments in advance and conducting extensive research and reading to enable me to complete my assignments to the best of my ability. I will also be continually revising throughout the year to ensure I am ready for my exams. Successfully gain employment with the Metropolitan Police Service During my last semester at university I will regularly check the metropolitan police website to see where the recruitment events are where I can obtain an application form. After obtaining this I will spend a lot of time filling this out correcting with good examples. If I am successful at this stage I will then conduct practise for the assessment centre by rehearsing interviews studying the information regarding the assessments and build on my fitness. Gain Promotion If I gain employment with the police service I will continually work hard to show my willing and ability to join the High Development Scheme. I will request an application form when they become available and if I am successful in joining the scheme I will work hard to complete the exercises that are required of me and continually show my enthusiasm and capabilities, Conclusion After completing the self-awareness and career tests, I discovered that my personality would be very suited to a job in the police force. In the Type Dynamics Indicator  [17]  , my preferred style was a co-ordinator and one of the better suited occupations to this style is a police officer. My strengths that were highlighted in the how well do you know yourself  [18]  exercise will assist me while I am in the Police force as both my friends and I said I was authoritative. Although being moody and aggressive were my weaknesses I can work on these issues and they shouldnt pose a problem when I join the Police force. Although my career interests inventory did not match exactly with that of a Police Office I still had two elements, social and enterprising, that matches a police office so I still will be a good match for the job and my interests do not differ majorily. My career drivers, material rewards and power and influence, will help motivate me and encourage me to go for promotions and which is why I want to apply for the High Potential Development Scheme in the police force which I discussed earlier in the report. Finally, whilst my prospects planner results did not highlight the police force as being one of the best matches the occupations I did match had elements that were needed in the police force and when I matched my profile with a police officer it proved a good match. Overall, I believe the exercises did not highlight many implications for my career choice. After conducting research into Mi5 and the Metropolitan Police Service I decided that I will defiantly be applying for the Metropolitan Police service as my first choice employer and if I were successful in gaining employment I will be applying to join the High Potential Development scheme as well. Although, if I were not successful I believe Mi5 will also provide me with just as an exciting and challenging career that I would be happy in. In conclusion, I will work towards the targets that I have set myself in this report and hopefully I will be successful in reaching my career aims.

Army: Sociology and Team Leader

By Groves, Ian, L The importance of being on time and communication With leadership on the first level This paper will tell you why it is imperative to be timely and also to keep good communication with your leadership mainly at the first level. This paper is a result to not showing up on time to a formation, and failing to let someone know what was going on. So now this paper will explain the importance of the ways someone could prevent it from happening to them. Being late makes people look bad and reflects upon the people in charge of them.Leaders are in charge of making sure the people they are in charge of are doing the right thing at all times and keeping them squared away. It is very important and imperative that one be on time to formations, briefs and anything else they are scheduled to do that day because if someone misses a brief or meeting they could miss very important information, every mission has a starting point and if your higher-ups tell you that is when they want to get stuff started. If you’re late that could mean doing push-ups Also, if you’re too late for duty you’re considered AWOL (absent without leave).Usually one should try to be early because being early, is always better than being late, it also reflects positively on you as a person, on your team leader and anyone in charge of them because you are a reflection of your team leader and anything he teaches you. It makes you and them look and seem squared away and on their game and not a lazy unmotivated scum bag. So if you want to impress your upper chain of command it would be a good idea to be at least on time if not early. You’ll look good and impress people hopefully the right people.This paper will also tell you the importance and imperativeness of keeping good communication between you and your team leader at the first line level. â€Å"The purpose of communication is to create new or better awareness. Effective communication implies the clear expres sion of vision and values in order to more easily achieve your goals†, keeping a good communication with your team leader is kind of like being on time to a formation, you could miss important information that your team leader puts out, it could be vital information like when to show up for a formation or brief.All you had to do was contact your team leader before the formation time and tell him/her you were running late and none of this would have happened. You would still get in trouble for being late, but not to such a degree. Communication with leadership and being on time also goes further, even all the way to army values. â€Å"Army Values† is not merely a phrase for how members of the Army should act; they are who we are. We emulate the seven Army Values because they are the standard for behavior, not only in the Army, but in any ordered society†.Communication and loyalty is being faithful to your team leader and telling him what is going on. Trust and comm unication is like your team leader trusting you to communicate with him and you trusting that your team leader will communicate and get you all the information you need. On an important mission it is your duty to get important information to your team leader so that you can get a mission accomplished with as little or no casualties as possible. Respect and communication is having enough respect for your team leader to tell him what is going on because he wants to know what is going on and not telling him would be disrespectful.Well I feel I have got my point across with communication and the army values, there is timeliness and how it involves the army values, It is your duty to be on time because it could mean bad outcomes, imagine you were moving some medical supplies to people who needed it and you were too late. it could mean losing lives. Integrity and timeliness is having the integrity to tell your team leader if you’re running late and taking responsibility for being l ate. in this paper I have told you the importance of being on time and communication even at the lowest level.By telling you this information It should have helped in persuading you to be timely and communicate with others. in this paper there are quotes that have been cited for credibility. This is the importance of time management and communication mainly on the first line level. Communication is very important. Time management is very important. Always do the right thing Sources and citing’s . â€Å"The purpose of communication is to create new or better awareness. Effective communication implies the clear expression of vision and values in order to more easily achieve your goals† Pagonis, William G. lieutenant general â€Å"The Importance of Communication. †Ã‚  The Importance of Communication. Blackhawk Consulting Group, n. d. Web. 15 Sept. 2012. . . â€Å"Army Values† is not merely a phrase for how members of the Army should act; they are who we are. We emulate the seven Army Values because they are the standard for behavior, not only in the Army, but in any ordered society†. â€Å"TRADOC News Service. †Ã‚  TRADOC News Service. N. p. , 23 Mar. 2006. Web. 15 Sept. 2012 .

Nock’s Ideas on Education Essay

Education refers to a slow and gradual process of gaining and acquiring knowledge. Training is an organized and planned process of imparting practical and hands on skills (www. osh. gov). Training is what Nock would rather wish people undergo rather than the rigorous process of learning abstracts. Nock’s view on education though largely generalized is the basic and sad truth. We should strive to train our children towards specific topics and fields instead of continually pumping them with more and more abstracts. Whereas education imparts one with theoretical knowledge regarding certain concepts and phenomena, training focuses at the application of that knowledge to practically control that phenomenon. A locomotive engineering student gains knowledge on the mechanical components and rationale behind vehicles but a mechanic practically applies this knowledge to perfect the mechanical rationale and yet he may be of modest education. It is agreeable that education takes much of an individual time and narrows his/her thinking directing it to one channel. This is at the expense of exposing one-self to diversified interests and aspects that would be beneficial to ones life. A nuclear scientist might learn so much about nuclear science and lack understanding of how to manage his financial resources. Education for sure leads to very frustrated minds, although not all. It promises sometimes what cannot be delivered leaving one consumed by an unquenchable thirst and passion for things that life cannot offer. Although this is what leads to innovations and inventions, it leaves in its wake very frustrated people. However I find Nock’s generalizations and insinuations regarding the social life unacceptable. Being educated does not simply mean that one does not associate with people. Although one may not necessarily hang out with his/her childhood playmates, they still maintain close associations with those that they enjoy the same interests with. However, I find Nock’s view regarding education and training to be real and we should heed the advice and seek to train more than we educate.

An Interview with Publishizer Founder Guy Vincent

An Interview with Publishizer Founder Guy Vincent Putting Readers First - An Interview with Publishizer’s founder Guy Vincent Crowdfunding is possibly one of the evolutions in publishing that is most exciting to independent authors who are serious about their work. It turns the traditional publishing model upside down, with readers basically funding the books before they are published, and authors finding an audience before even finishing the manuscript. Last year, we hosted a fascinating interview with Maris Kreizman, from Kickstarter publishing, on how authors could use Kickstarter to, well†¦ â€Å"kickstart† their next book. Today, we’re interviewing a smaller player - but just as exciting!In the past few months, we’ve been impressed by the quality of the projects on the Publishizer platform, as well as the amounts raised (take a look at their â€Å"ended campaigns† here), so we’ve decided to interview the founder, Guy Vincent. He’ll tell you just as useful Publishizer can be for your next book!The print run of Mobile Ready, Publishizer’s first success storyDo certain genres work better than others on Publishizer?It’s still early days for our startup. We started out focusing on startup and business topics, since that’s the community where I had the most connection to writers. Early on we attracted cookbooks, children’s books and a few novels.We can see tha t business authors have a natural tendency to understand having a target reader, marketing plan and publishing strategy. Our business authors are paving the way to help us build our own audience, who we can eventually help to bring them books in other genres they might be interested in, such as fiction.Our authors are encouraged to think of their book as a startup. That means having an entrepreneurial and creative spirit when it comes to promoting their work, experimenting with different marketing tactics and learning what works best for their audience.Authors who have successfully completed a pre-orders campaign on Publishizer can either go on to self-publish, or submit their book proposal to traditional publishers. Now, if you have money and an established reader base, why would you want to sign with a traditional publisher? What more can they offer?Self publishing offers wondrous opportunities for authors, however, it can also be time consuming and some authors might prefer to ha nd over their work to a publisher who can take care of the nitty gritty details.Publishizer helps authors activate and expand their existing audience, and publishers can potentially take the book to the next level through wider distribution channels. There is also still a perceived credibility to having a traditional publisher. If we can help our authors attract the right kind of publisher to bring their book higher up the value chain, we’ll do our best to support this.You insist on the importance of quality cover art, and say it should be left to the professionals. Would you agree that the explosion of self-publishing, where authors have limited budgets, is endangering the quality of graphic design in books?We see a clear parallel with authors who insist on high quality cover artwork and the success of their Publishizer campaign. There are plenty of tools and resources available to allow authors to get a professional looking front cover, without spending much (if anything) u pfront.After a successful preorders campaign, with money in the bank, we notice our authors who go on to become bestsellers really invest in their editing and design, to make their book the best it can be. Professional quality editing and design often doesn’t come cheap, and this is where preorders makes it possible for authors to afford the best services for their book.I feel we’re heading into the golden age of self publishing, where authors have access to the world’s best editing, design and marketing talent. In the future, books won’t be ‘self published’, they’ll be the artistic creation of writers who activated their audience, and hired the best talent to bring their vision to reality. We hope Publishizer can be a part of that vision.And we share that hope. Thanks a lot for your time, Guy!  Follow Publishizer and Reedsy on Twitter:  @publishizer  and @ReedsyHQ  Have you tried a crowdfunding platform for a publishing projec t? Do you also feel like we’re heading into the golden age of self-publishing? Leave us your thoughts, or any questions for Guy, in the comments below!

UtopiaModel or reality essays

UtopiaModel or reality essays In his famous work Utopia, Sir Thomas More describes the society and culture of an imaginary island on which all social ills have been cured. As in Platos Republic, a work from which More drew while writing Utopia, Mores work presents his ideas through a dialogue between two characters, Raphael Hythloday and More himself. Hythloday is a fictional character who describes his recent voyage to the island of Utopia. Throughout the work, Hythloday describes the laws, customs, system of government, and way of life that exist on Utopia to an incredulous and somewhat condescending More. Throughout the work, Hythloday presents a society organized to overcome the flaws of human nature. This society has been carefully thought out by More-as the author of the work-to help avoid the problems associated with human nature. Individual human appetites are controlled and balanced against the needs of the community as a whole. In other words, More attempts to describe a society in which the seven deadly sins are counterbalanced by other motivations set up by the government and society as a whole. I believe that by providing the answer to the timeless question of overcoming mans inherent evils in such a way More creates a perfect society to be modeled after. Many of the ideals in Mores Utopia are, as the name implies, based on ideal situations and not reality. They would work well in a civilization of automatons, but would be abolished quickly in a human situation. Nevertheless, we can apply the ideals held by the Utopians to our own societies since the ideals themselves are attainable even if a perfect society is not. More seems to think that the seven deadly sins will be fairly easy to overcome. Pride, for instance, is counterbalanced in several ways in his social system. For instance, he makes sure that all people wear the same clothing, except that the different genders wear different styles, as do married and unmarrie...

Human Resources Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Human Resources Management - Essay Example Training is the most applicable tool that Tesco can use to educate its employees. The company must invest heavily on training and development process for motivational reasons. It is important to understand what make, satisfies or dissatisfies employees. Additionally, the company should carefully analyze and plan its training needs to have a tremendous influence and impact on the employee’s performance (McDowall & Mark 2010, p610). Tesco must establish the group that needs training, areas that need improvement, and the resources required for the training process to be effective. Indeed, companies that pay a great attention and invest a lot in their training and development process, often have the best results such as an increase in work performance, productivity, morale, and satisfaction just to name a few. Solutions to having the best training and development process depends more on the communication strategies used. In other words, communication must be the main drive to orga nizational development and encourages employees to generate and learn from one another. Some of the potential applications and strategies that Tesco may adopt to take full advantage of modern technology and enhance their training and development process might include the following. The most important strategy is the capacity or ability to broadcast messages from different offices across the world. The innovation of technology reduces the cost of international travel, thus allowing executives to be in meetings virtually and interact effectively (Cherniss, Grimm & Liautaud 2010, p415). With this, technology can be used to enhance communication in training and development by breaking distance barriers that may hinder effective interaction. Technology boosts communication process in the sense that, trainers do not have to travel in miles training trainees. The trainer only needs to record the message and send it to the company or the organization in need. Tesco should embrace this strat egy to boost its communication in training and development. For instance, the holographic technology is a potential technological tool that would benefit Tesco. Employers could use this technology to increase company meetings, internal communication and learning, and development. According to Kissack & Callahan (2010, p366), the systems of holographic technology is supplied by a projector or an LED screen that enhances reflected images on the onstage. The company should embrace this technology to enhance a great impact in communication process. Most companies experience challenges in getting their message across and understanding the people that need to learn. Thus, it is important to connect to people emotionally by making them understand what is expected of them in the workplace. The company must embrace the investment of technology such as holographic against the savings on international accommodations and flights. By utilizing the modern technology, Tesco’s employees woul d be more connected to learning process. Still, employers would be in a better position to enlist technologies that help them stay connected to experts across the globe. Instead of hiring experts to come and train the organization, Tesco would only need to broadcast messages by different experts and stay connected, enriched, and motivated

4What do you consider are the main problems with the royal prerogative Essay

4What do you consider are the main problems with the royal prerogative Explain the extent to which you would reform the royal prerogative and why - Essay Example ?, the name for the residue of discretionary power left at any moment in the hands of the crown, whether such power be in fact exercised by the King himself or by his ministers†. Wikipedia describes the Royal Prerogative â€Å"as a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognised in common law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the Crown alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government are possessed by and vested in a monarch with regard to the process of governance of their state are carried out. It is not subject to parliamentary scrutiny but an individual prerogative can be abolished by legislative enactment† 2 . Practically speaking, Royal Prerogative is the usage accorded to the formal powers of the Crown within the executive process of the British politics. As part of the common law, the Queen represents the British constitutional monarchy that is apolitical, symbolic and impartial. The Queen exercises the Royal Prerogative on behalf of the elected ministers. As per the Royal Prerogative vested on the Monarchy, the Queen has the right to appoint and dismiss a prime minister.3 The Queen has the powers to appoint ministers, peers, senior C of E officials, head of BBC and senior civil servants. But, in reality, the Prime Minister exercises these powers. Only the Order of the Garter and the Order of Merit are at the personal disposal of the Queen indicating that vast powers in senior appointments rest with the Prime Minister. Under the Royal Prerogative, the Queen has the right to grant pardons and input some sentences but this has mostly remained a theoretical power with the Home Secretary retaining this power in practice. The Monarch has the power to declare war or treaties internationally but the Prime Minister has been exercising these powers on behalf of the Crown as we have seen in case of war on Iraq in 2003. Also, the Monarch is above the law and has immuni ty from law. In fact, it is commonly