Learning difficulties Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Learning difficulties - Essay Example It will also discuss government and private citizens’ efforts in supporting individuals with Dyslexia. What is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is a learning disability related to an individual’s difficulty in obtaining skills in reading, writing and spelling (Special Needs Support Pages, 1999). It affects the development of literacy and language related skills (British Dyslexia Association, 2009). It is one disorder that is neurological in origin (International Dyslexia Association: Lyon et al., 2003). It is a permanent condition, however, it can be managed. For example, children with dyslexia have difficulty in spelling words. One way to overcome this is for them to view pictures of words in their minds because this helps them to retain the words and spell them out better (Morton, 2004). Although dyslexic children manifest difficulties in reading and writing words, they are often bright, creative and talented. Some of their strengths may include mechanical aptitude; artistic abilit y; musical gifts; athletic prowess; advanced social skills; and talents in computer/technology, science, and math (Yoshimoto, 2000). Concern for children with disabilities has already spread in the UK from the 1970’s thanks to some advocates such as Mary Warnock who raised the issues on helping children with special education needs (SEN). The Warnock Report in the year 1978 was developed to appraise the provision for children with psychological as well as physical disabilities. The report had sponsored ranges of special needs for children. It paved the way for the â€Å"Education Act† which was imposed in the year 1983. This act presented different methods to the description of children with SEN. It advocated that these children should be able to obtain the educational support from tutors in the classroom such as the provision of extra time and assistance compared to other students (Sturt, 2002). In 1996 the law on SEN stated that: â€Å"A child has special educationa l needs (SEN) if he or she has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her† (Education Act, 1996, Section 312). This act mandates local education authorities (LEA) to offer resources in order to recognise and support specific learning problems in children. LEAs were imposed with additional tasks to make an evaluation of children in their disability area (Pumfrey & Reason, 1991). SEN Code of Practice (2001) is the government guidance on meeting the SEN of children with disabilities. Its principles include that children with special needs should have their needs met and that children will normally have their needs met in a mainstream school. With the Special Education Needs Code of Practice (2001), Dyslexia falls under the Communication and Interaction area of need. This area includes learners with speech and language difficulties, impairments and disorders. Children with SEN should have full access to a broad, balanced and relev ant curriculum, including the National Curriculum or, for younger children, the foundation stage curriculum. The children’s views should be taken into account and their parents should be treated as partners of the school (ACE, 2011). Much of what has been described are components of inclusive education. The Education Act of 2010 focuses on supporting inclusion and incorporation of dyslexic children rather than separation and segregation in the school. Inclusive education has evolved towards the idea that all children despite their

The Influence and Relationship of the Media in Poliyics Research Paper

The Influence and Relationship of the Media in Poliyics - Research Paper Example In this regard, media has various roles to play as far as politics of the day is concerned. First, the media inform the public about campaigns, elections and politics. However, while there is increasing demand for information, there is cynicism in the world against both the media and politicians for spearheading negative coverage of campaigns and media bias. What failed to be addressed are the influence of the government to the media, as well as, the influence media does on the government. The media influence the way of politics through taking part in nomination processes. It turns the nomination process into a horse race. Through this process, some part of the public get influenced by the politician who seems popular and through the media, the candidates get to sale the policies thereby increasing their chances of going through. Secondly, the media influence issues voters care about in elections and criteria the voters use in evaluating candidates. This it does through issue framing . It makes the voter view it the way it does. There exists a cyclical relationship between the public, media, and the government. Media can shape public opinion, as well as, influence voter through communicating. This is through influencing the voters on the issues that are important and those that are less and thus convince them about the issues to think about. The media play an important role in altering the perceptions of the voters, attitude, and behavior. The media in this case reinforces and shapes voters view point. Thirdly, media places a spotlight on issues they know the public might be concerned with. Existing evidence indicate that what seems to appear in print has substantial impacts on how citizens think. For example, where the media cites as important problems to be addressed is taken up by the public to be the gospel truth. However, the government in a way dictates the media's content where the media regularly uses the public officials as sources of news. A biased med ia shapes views of the people at election time and the media dictates what should be viewed by the voters. In this case, media influences the voters’ attitude and is very effective while acting as sport light. Since it is the only way to channel campaign information, media influence issues voters consider when evaluating a political candidate and criteria upon which the voters charge the politicians Fourthly, the media can set the political agenda through focusing on certain issues and influence the issues the government and the public ought to be concerned with. In this regard, it influences they way the public makes the decision about voting. For example, through the regular angering of news collected from various parts of the country, the public and the government get to understand certain things of concern. The media focus on the president when things go wrong such as health care and other social amenities. The way the president responds to such issues matters a great dea l and it influence the way people vote in the wrong run. This is in the context of belief that media is prone to strong political bias, and that seem true to some extent, and has a significant effect on shaping the views of the voter. The area the newspapers take a firm a stand on, is that to do with editorials. This area largely dictates how people view publications. It is argued that media outlets take up distinctive stand that remain consistent for a period of time. Whether that is true or not, it is