Learning Difficulties and Dyslexia Literature review

Learning Difficulties and Dyslexia - Literature review Example For a child with learning difficulty, it becomes hard to understand, learn and communicate when compared to the other children. A learning difficulty may be mild, moderate or rigorous. Few people with mild learning difficulty can speak easily and take care of themselves, but it takes a little longer than usual for them in order to learn new skills. A learning difficulty happens when an individual’s brain development has been affected, either before the birth, during birth or in the early childhood. â€Å"In 1975, Congress enacted the education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)† (Bradley et al. 2002, p.25).which defines learning difficulties. This Act supports localities and the states to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and provide them the right to public education. After the passage of this enactment, significant progress has been made in order to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Despite the problems associated with disabilities, with suitable academic and cognitive interventions and technology support, the effects of disability can be reduced. Persons with learning difficulties may face exceptional challenges which are often pervasive throughout the life period. On the basis of the type and rigorousness of the disability, current technologies and intervention may be made use of in order to help the person learn strategies that can help overcome their limitations. Dyslexia is a kind of learning difficulty which is â€Å"neurobiological in origin† (Lyon, 2003, p.3). It manifests through difficulties with fluent or accurate word recognition along with poor decoding and spelling abilities. These difficulties mainly result from a shortage in the phonological element of language which is frequently unexpected in connection to other cognitive abilities and the proviso of effective classroom instruction. The other consequenc es include problems of reduced reading experience and problems in reading which may impede the background knowledge and growth of vocabulary. ‘A specific learning difficulty can be defined as: an unexpected and unexplained condition, occurring in a child of average or above average intelligence, characterized by a significant delay in one or more areas of learning’ (Selikowitz, 2012, p.4).   According to Vicki L. Cohen and John Edwin Cohen, students having â€Å"learning disabilities† and trouble in reading can be diagnosed as having dyslexia. â€Å"Such students more often possess phonological reading disabilities and problems in identifying that words can be broken down into phonems and also that letters have sounds. They can also have problems in decoding words and in reading fluently. It is said to be â€Å"neurobiological† in origin since there is disruption of the neural system in the brain’s left hemisphere† (Lyon, 2003, p.2).  "Dyslexia is one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language -based disorder of constitutional origin characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usually reflecting insufficient phonological processing† (Lyon, 2003, p.2). These problems in single word decoding are frequently unexpected with respect to age and other academic and cognitive abilities and are not the consequence of sensory impairment or any generalized developmental disability. Dyslexia is evident by variable difficulty with diverse forms of language, often include, along with problems in reading, a noticeable problem with acquiring expertise in writing and

Southwest Airlines Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Southwest Airlines Case Study - Essay Example This has necessitated a review of its mission and vision statements that will form the basis of this paper. Introduction This paper will look at the mission statement, vision statement and values of Southwest Airlines, a local airline operating within the USA but now branching out regionally starting with Mexico and the Caribbean. I will analyze each of the above elements from the point of view of good strategic management principles, evaluating their efficacy and worth as exemplary factors or otherwise. I will also try to determine whether they truly reflect the body and soul of the business, and if not, make recommendations and changes in the above three elements so that they are worthy of good strategic management principles. Company's Mission Statement and Analysis Southwest Airlines believes in continuing to be the USA’s leading low cost airline, with commitment to the highest quality of customer service, delivered in the company spirit of warmth, friendliness and custome r pride. Concentrating on the domestic sector, it flies to 92 destinations across 42 States of the USA. It is incorporated in Dallas Texas and operates more than 3300 flights a day. It is the USA’s largest domestic carrier. Looking at the mission statement for this airline, it is clear that they have defined their target market and reach in the USA. They are a domestic airline and want to keep it that way. What’s more, they want to lead the industry as a low cost competitor and are currently looking for ways to attract and solidify new groups of customers. A recent news release shows that they are tying up with hospitals, hotel chains and other businesses that have groups of customers or cargo that they can transport on a regular basis. This is an innovative approach that can bring them more business opportunities (Crosby, 1992). As far as the target market is concerned they have defined it as local customers. They do not want to enter the international sector, possibl y due to added costs of fuel, distance travelled and taxation and other financial costs. Moreover they are already leaders in the domestic market so it would pay to stick to their strengths rather than take unnecessary risks. As regards the products and services that this airline offers, its main emphasis is on being cost effective. In Michael Porter’s terms it is using Low Cost Leadership as its chief strategy (Porter, 1980). It operates a point to point service- with recently acquired Air Trans used as a hub and spoke service. It also has a tie up with Volaris, Mexico’s second largest airline for regional routes outside the USA. It operates a modern fleet with Boeing 737-800s and 737-MAXs being part of its inventory. It operates three kinds of flights principally- I Wanna Fly, Business Select and Anytime Fares. Only the first fare is non-refundable but all of them can be applied towards future flights. They have also started a Rapid Rewards Program and Early Bird Che ck In to further appeal to customers- and expanded operations to the Caribbean and Mexico after the acquisition of Air Tran. This airline company has also managed to achieve some degree of backward and forward integration with airline booking agencies and hotels all over the USA and in Mexico and the Caribbean. It even has linkups with resorts and rental car agencies if the passengers want to use these facilities. All of them are available on its website and there are also various gifts, rewards and discount packages that make it beneficial for the customer