Learning disabilities and special education

The Article on Learning Disability provided by Psychology Today details the various dimensions of learning disability which thrusts on the following: its definition, symptoms, causes, and treatment. To start off, learning disability refers to the child’s difficulty of translating to their brain what their visual and auditory senses produce. The symptoms of this disorder are categorized into the following: â€Å"language disorders, developmental speech disorders, academic abilities disorders†, and the other category which includes certain coordination disorders and learning handicaps not covered by the previous terms. There is no single concrete explanation to why this disorder has developed but several theories accounted several factors such as errors in fetal brain development, genetic, use of alcohol and drugs, problems during pregnancy, and toxins in the child’s environment. All of these factors contribute to one’s understanding of the existence of such kind of disorder. Several steps have been taken to minimize the adverse effects of this learning disorder such as medication and therapy (MedicineNet Inc, 2002). From a psychological standpoint, I appreciate the various theoretical offerings on the causes of learning disorder of this article. However, I believe that one of the important dichotomies in psychology was underrated by this work, i.e. the genetic vs. environment consideration. Although genetic factors complemented by the cellular basis of learning were considered, the social environment of the child definitely plays a role here as well. This article should have explored on this aspect too. Psychological studies, indeed, have shown that both genes and environment are major determinants of many major human processes (Smith et al., 2003). In addition, the socialization process goes with it too. Although this article is mainly about learning disabilities, the inclusion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, though spurious for this matter, is a beneficial one. It was able to present how learning disability becomes an inevitable consequence of the presence of ADHD. Further, it goes to show several remedial processes that one may undergo to defeat the effects of ADHD and learning disorder – such as medication, therapy, and educational options. The social impact of learning disorder was also mentioned in this article, which is a valuable aspect to look on. Children who suffer from this disorder also suffer from frustration and low self-esteem. Indeed, this is serious matter. The good thing is that several laws have been passed in relation to this problem. First, children with this disorder are guaranteed of free public education which is intended to respond to their specific needs (MedicineNet Inc, 2002). This is supported by a particular stipulation under section 200.2 of Part 2 Regulations of NYS school codes which specifies that an arrangement of special education programs and services for a preschool student with a disability shall be made. This is a very important undertaking in relation to the development of children with learning disorder (New York State Education Website, 2005). This regulation acknowledges the differences of children’s learning development and gives special focus and treatment on children with deficiency on this. How valuable is this if you would ask me? Very much as it goes to show that the state moves toward the enrichment of every member of the society and further, this move minimizes the inequality set forth by this kind of disorder. This claim can is substantiated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 which ensures equal job opportunity among people with learning disorder. This also orders employers to make reasonable accommodations to workers with this disorder (MedicineNet Inc, 2002). The importance of parental and academic factors in the detection of learning disorder, which was highlighted in the article, can also be seen on the Individual evaluation and reevaluation stipulation under 200.4 which states that developmental and educational information of the student must be gathered plus a physical examination, observation of the student in the educational placement, and a social history are all required (New York State Education Website, 2005). The need for social history underscores the importance of the child’s social environment as a determinant of LD, which is concurrent with the previous point that I have raised. Second, the importance of parental role was accounted for in this stipulation. The information gathered from the parent is required in the evaluation of students with learning disability. In conclusion, learning disability is as crucial as how we perceive it to be. It affects an individual’s normal functioning; and worse, it affects the attainment of one’s fullest potential. But on a lighter note, several measures have been formulated. Thus, the partnership of parents, teachers, and the state is an important element in assisting children with learning disorder. Further, this partnership has the capacity to help these children in attaining their precious little dreams. REFERENCES New York State Education Website (2005). Regulation of the Commissioner of EducationPart 200- Students   with Disabilities. Retrieved October 27, 2006 from Smith, E.E. et al. (2003). Atkinson & Hilgard’s Introduction to Psychology 14th edition. Australia: Thomson & Wadsworth.

Nice Guys Always Finish Last

Nice guys is a term in the popular culture and general public discourse describing a male, young or adult, with friendly yet unassertive personality traits in the context of a relationship with a woman. Nice guy is said to be who puts their interest aside and out others first, avoids confrontation, does favors, gives emotional support, tried to stay out of trouble and generally be nice towards women. Although many people would agree with the generalization of â€Å"nice guys always finish last† I would disagree and side with nice guys because bad guys may get the girls and sleep around but in the end of the day they end up with the nice guy. There is a discrepancy between preference and the actual action of women in choices in men. They say that they want â€Å"nice guys† but in reality, they go for â€Å"bad boys† or â€Å"jerks† in the end. Stephan Desrochers claims, in a 1995 article in the journal Sex Roles, that many â€Å"sensitive† men, based on personal experience, do not believe women actually want â€Å"nice guys†. Desrochers, 1995). And Urbaniak & Kilmann write that, â€Å"Although women often portray themselves as wanting to date kind, sensitive, and emotionally expressive men, the nice guy stereotype contends that, when actually presented with a choice between such a ‘nice guy' and an unkind, insensitive, emotionally-c losed, ‘macho man' or ‘jerk,' they invariably reject the nice guy in favor of his ‘so-called' macho competitor. † (Urbaniak & Kilmann, 2003). They all both say that what they want and what they actually do is totally different. Women say they want â€Å"nice guys† but they want nice guys to be attractive, well built but those guys are either taken or jerks. Then they go for the jerks, who are attractive and challenge themselves to make them to become nice guys but that rarely happens. Nice guys do not always finish last. The difference is how one defines or take word â€Å"last† as. Bad boys or jerks do always get the girls because they know the game and most of them are attractive in different ways but when one looks at long-term, many can see that women tend to choose nice guys. Herold and Milhausen claim that â€Å"while ‘nice guys' may not be competitive in terms of numbers of sexual partners, they tend to be more successful with respect to longer-term, committed relationships. † (Herold & Milhausen, 1999). No women wants to be treated badly or be used and that what bad boys or jerks do. Thats is why they prefer nice guys and be will to go out on second date or go in a relationship with them. McDaniel constructed vignettes of dates with a stereotypical â€Å"nice guy† vs. a stereotypical â€Å"fun/sexy guy,† and attempted to make them both sound positive. Participants reported a greater likelihood of wanting a second date with the â€Å"nice guy† rather than with the â€Å"fun/sexy guy. † (McDaniel, 2005). People may think that nice guys finish last but for to them the â€Å"last† is the goal for the women. The women may take a detour but most of them reach the goal to the nice guy. It is like the story of the rabbit and the tortoise, the rabbit is the jerk and tortoise the nice guy. My best friend is a bad boy who gets all the girls he wants and I was always the nice guy. He always told me to be like him but I could not and never be someone who I am not and comfortable with. I always thought that generalization was true until recently but not anymore. It took me three years but I am finally in a relationship and I am happy. From past to present, the women's preference has not changed and that means something. Women do and always will desire nice guys because they care and think about them. Thats is what women is looking for at the end of the day. Nice guys does not finish, they finish first.

Research plan on improving instructional strategies Essay

Research plan on improving instructional strategies - Essay Example † The modern classroom is primarily characterized by the availability of computers and ICT. Research studies (Henessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005 and John, 2005 as cited in Tabler, 2007) have shown how ICT have modified classroom practices and supported classroom tasks. The advantages of ICT are also revolutionary, but it has also its limitations, and as a very recent tool for teaching, I consider it significant to study how its potential can be maximized. It is within this context that I propose to carry out this action research project. Specifically, I plan examine its utility in teaching Geography among 4th grade students since professionally, this is where I am situated. In the succeeding section I will be proposing an action research plan following the format by McNiff & Whitehead (2006). II. The Action Research Plan My Context I am currently a 4th grade teacher in Geography and have been offered the opportunity of becoming the Head of Department in the next academic year. O ne of the challenges given to me is developing a comprehensive plan of integrating ICT into the curriculum and pedagogy. It requires me to examine strategies and eventually, propose best practices. Why am I concerned? In the past five years, the school has invested in modernization. However, it has been observed that very little has changed in terms of the use of ICT in the classroom. Teachers face challenges in using ICT in the classroom, not only because of its novelty, but also because it has implications on the teaching and learning philosophies adopted by teachers. â€Å"The sheer presence of technology itself in the classroom can be very daunting, cluttering up both physical space with cables and connections, and mental space in planning for access to equipment and familiarization with skills and techniques† (Loveless, 2002,p.20). While ICT in the classroom has been acclaimed as generally good, there are still challenges that should be addressed for it to be an effectiv e tool. What experiences can I describe to show the situation as it is? Since this will be a pilot project, I will gather data from my own class where I will implement ICT in teaching through observations. I will also talk to students and ask them to evaluate the classes that we had. For a period of two weeks, I will keep reflection notes of what is taking place during my classes. What can I do? An initial evaluation will be asked from the students where points for improvement will be taken. A focused group discussion among teachers from my department will also be implemented to have gather ideas from their experiences of implementing ICT in the classrooms. Other teachers will also be invited to observe my classes, and validate the findings I have initially recorded. Students will also be asked to evaluate the whole program so I can get feedback from their perspective. What will I do? I will write a report for presentation to the principal, vice-principal and other teachers in my de partment. The report will contain the observations I have conducted, evaluation from students, discussions with other teachers, and the observations of other teachers in my class. I will give them a background of the current situation, and explain my interest in this particular area. I will propose that as part of my coursework in the post-graduate school I am attending, I will carry out this research project. How will I gather data to show the situa

Boardman Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Boardman Management - Case Study Example The word processing software should be effective for future strategic growth of the company and its development. The main will cover: service provision, planning, inventory and customer relations. This initial section of the management audit examines the major parts of the service function and its relation to other functional areas. The opening section is related not only to planning and service delivery, but also to inventory and purchasing. Similarly, it can be related to the sale and distribution of service4. Overall, this beginning overview section is an integral part of the materials- and information-flow evaluation (Phillips 2002). The second step is to inform Smith Systems Consulting about current software nad its applications. The evaluation of the IT group starts with examining the competency of its management. Important questions relating to long-range plans are set forth for evaluation, followed by analogous questions on short- to medium-range plans. Ultimately, these short- to longrange planning questions evaluate the caliber of the IT planning group and their ability to undertake their assigned tasks. Is it flexible enough to meet changing conditions as well as ensure efficient and economical operations Building upon these subsections, the adequacy of leadership by the IT group is assessed. Specifically, questions are asked to determine if IT planning management provides the necessary leadership to achieve desired organizational goals. Complementary to the leadership subsection is the capacity of the group to communicate important information to departments for economy and efficiency in ongoing operatio ns. The third step is one of the most important. The Baderman Island resort should explain its strategic goals and aims, and vision of future. This step is important because it will help Smith Systems Consulting to understand the gap between current word processing software and future needs of the company. The main focus of the next subsection is on the effectiveness of the IT for meeting organizational goals. For the most part, questions are asked that relate to the capabilities of the service facilities to provide efficient and economical service provision. Going beyond the organization structure, leadership, or lack thereof, in the management function is analyzed in the next subsection. Questions relating to the degree of teamwork between service management and its subordinates are asked. Overall, leadership of service delivery supervisors focuses on the economy and efficiency of operations within the various service work centers. Translating the long-range plans into a shorter time f rame, typical questions are raised concerning the adequacy or short- to medium-range inventory plans to meet the requirements of the web-based marketing as well as the need for protection against inventory stockouts. In addition, there are questions evaluating the compatibility of the inventory structure with short to long-range plans. Complementary to this subsection is one on communication, whose purpose is to determine if proper information is forwarded to management for keeping service under control. In the final subsection, the degree of control over service delivery is examined. If an out-of-control condition exists, appropriate management action can be undertaken so as to restore the service delivery situation to normal (Phillips 2002). The next step is to evaluate budget

Business report of financial exercise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business report of financial exercise - Essay Example To increase the revenue, the owner has decided that the firm will operate six days a week which will bring gross sales of  £15,000 in the upcoming year. We will analyze the implication of this change on the profit & loss statement in the light of reasonable assumptions. If the wages are calculated on the basis of increase in variable costs than the initial work demand was for 5 days which has now increased to 6 days therefore the rate of increase in variable costs will be It is found that advertising is correlated with sales and brand value of the organization (Eng & Keh, 2007). Therefore, we will assume that Advertising will increase respect to increase in percentage sales The local garage initially agreed on vehicle maintenance at a cost of  £500 per quarter. The terms initially might include that the business will operate for 5 days. Now since the business will be operating for six days therefore the contract costs will increase to  £600 per quarter. The cash flow forecast for year 2008 and 2009 can be implemented based on the future income statements. In this section we have provided the cash flow forecast for 2007 this will serve as the guideline for future cash flows based on the future assumptions. The cash flow analysis can be and income statements have revealed important information with regards to the community travel. Although the new change seems to be feasible, but it should be implemented in the proposed way by hiring two new part-time drivers who can fulfill the needs on Saturdays. Similarly if the full time employees are willing to work on the compensation terms than they should be hired since they have relevant expertise of the organization. If the business flows in the way as it was doing without any credit sales than it will have abundant cash at the end of the cycle which can be used to expand the business. However, as we noted small changes such as delays in payments or increase in

Either criticize the position that our minds are immaterial souls or Essay

Either criticize the position that our minds are immaterial souls or that our minds are brains - Essay Example The dual schemes that occur in the world through the mind and the soul create mysteries that may lead to problems that are considered to be worse than the initial. The brain is the bridge that occurs between the soul and the world. The link however seems to lead to more problems in the world. Brains and minds are through the instances that they take brings to the conclusion that brains and minds are not at all different. They are similar as they exist in the same world with similar concepts. Minds are simply what brains do but the brains are not simple as they perform complex functions. This makes the nature of their relationship to be simple. During learning there are changes that occur both in the brain and in the mind. They are both engaged leading to change in memory. To comprehend the relationship that occurs between the mind and brain, there is the need to understand the relationship that occurs between what things are able to do and what things are. Memories of the mind must be considered to remember things that are recorded in the brain. One is able to reason that the two elements, brain and mind perform similar activities without the consideration of the dependence on one another that makes them to seem to function similarly. There are characteristics that bring about the distinction between the mind and the brain. There are controversies that exist between them bringing to the mind-body problem. According to definition, the brain is considered to be the biological and physical material that is located within the skull that does the activities of neuronal and electrochemical procedures. The mind on the other hand is considered to be attributes of mentality which brings about belief and desires. Some follow to metaphysically dualistic methods in which the mind exists self-reliantly of the brain in certain way, such as a soul or epiphenomenon or emergent phenomenon. Other contrasts uphold that the mind is a separate physical phenomenon, with

Reconceptualizing Cultural Identity and Its Role in Intercultural Article

Reconceptualizing Cultural Identity and Its Role in Intercultural Business Communication and The Business Case for Enterprise Mashups - Article Example According to the article, the cultural identity is an individual’s sense of self-derived formal or informal membership in groups that inculcate knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, and ways of life. The article argues that a broad conception of cultural identity should not in any way privilege nationality, but rather balance the components of vacation, class, geography, philosophy, language, and biological aspects. Since cultural identity changes over time and that evokes emotions negotiable through communication, the article proposes the model of cultural identity that highlights components directly related to business, including economic class and professional affiliation. While such a model proves rather viable in eliminating all forms problems related to poor communication in the business, the reality can prove otherwise. Regardless of the policies or measures put in place to divert attention from such issues defining people in organization, the reality is ra ther opposite. Increasingly, people look at things in a different perspective. For instance, accepting that a person ever committed a mistake is rather odd, especially in organizations that use teams in accomplishing tasks and allocation of duties.