It has been suggested that there is a high level of co morbidity Essay

It has been suggested that there is a high level of co morbidity between dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. Disc - Essay Example The fact that these causes seem to be mainly biological in nature supports the fact that dyslexia is often found to be co-morbid with other learning difficulties that place strain on the individual. These can include, but are not limited to, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders (Reid, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to explore the conditions that are so often found to be co-morbid with dyslexia in the literature, and how this may affect the dyslexic child. Additionally, the paper will go on to discuss how these co-morbid conditions may affect the treatment or guidance that educators need to give children with dyslexia. What is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects one main area of an individual’s progress in education. It is a difficulty in reading that is apparent regardless of the individual’s IQ or their previous instruction in reading (Reid, 2009). Many believe that dyslexia is no t a single condition, but can be used to encompass a wide range of difficulties that individuals may have when it comes to reading (Reid, 2009). ... Again, this can be a sign of other learning difficulties with a broader scope than reading or writing, so care must be taken when diagnosing and teaching these children. There is currently no cure for dyslexia, nor is there any overwhelming consensus about treatment or management (Reid, 2009). There are several programmes in place which are aimed at providing advice to educators who have contact with dyslexic individuals. One of the major important aspects for managing dyslexia is to remove the sources of stress and anxiety (Reid, 2009). These can include pressure from parents, teachers and peers to learn to read and write at the same pace as other children their age, which is evidently not possible for the dyslexic individual. Care must be taken not to add additional stress onto a child when attempting to educate them. Lyytinen et al (2008) suggest that educational styles that focus on visual learning are more effective than a simple focus on oral phonological training. It must be n oted that many management styles for dyslexia differ in their effectiveness for the individual and this must be recognized by those working in close contact with dyslexic individuals. Another interesting factor of dyslexia is that it seems to be highly heritable and therefore must have a genetic component (Scerri & Schulte-Korne, 2010). This may be linked to the co-morbidity that it has with other SpLDs, which are also highly heritable (Scerri & Schulte-Korne, 2010). There are some genetic markers that have been associated with dyslexia, including ROBO1 and DCDC2 (Scerri & Schulte-Korne, 2010). Abnormal codes in these genes is a good predictor of reading disorder. Some studies of dyslexia from a

Three Information Systems Development Methods Information Technology Essay

Three Information Systems Development Methods Information Technology Essay Information system in this present period is been used by organisations, institutions, businesses and many industries. Information system development method is a general technique and procedures that is been followed in stages by system developers in the process of building a system. However, there are different types of information system development method which will be stated later in the report. The main aim of this report is to briefly compare three types of information systems development methods (ISDM) out of the several types of ISDM that exist which will be stated later in the report. Although, this report is more interested in the common methods that are mostly used such as waterfall method, spiral method and systems development life cycle method. In addition to the compared method this report has also adopted six related topics that are connected and interrelated to the information system development method. These six topics include information systems development method, types of information system development methodologies, difference between software development methodology (SDM) and SDLC, difference between system analysis and system design and introduction to project management. The Waterfall Method The waterfall information system development method is one of the easiest and straight forward information systems development method that talks about series of activities in the others of requirement, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance which are done in stages were each stage of the activity stated have to be hundred percent accomplished before the following section can be done (Davidson, 2002). In addition, Cadle Yeates (2004, pp. 77-78) also explained that the end product of each section of the waterfall method is used as an inputs to the product of the following stage as a result it does not permit you to review the previous stage once it is crossed just like the way water flows sequentially. Consequently, Hurst (2007) also analyzed that the waterfall information systems development method has been argued by many to be a bad method because it is not possible for a project to get one stage fully completed and corrected before making ahead to the following stage . However, Hughes et al (2004) one of the biggest advantages the waterfall method has over spiral and system development life cycle is that its make good use of time in terms of management, very easy to manage and it is mostly used for smaller project were all requirements are known. Though, it also has some drawbacks which include high level of risk, been disciplined in completing each stage of the activities in the model. The series of activities in the waterfall method is shown in the diagram below. Fig 1: Waterfall model The Spiral Method This is another type of information systems development method just like the waterfall and the system development life cycle method that also has series of activities that have to be done one after the other but in a different approach. The spiral method combines the important features of both the waterfall method and the prototyping method and most concerned about risk analysis (Dawson, 2005). Although, the spiral method has four stages compared to the waterfall and system development life cycle method which is in the stated order, determine objective, identify and resolve risk, development and testing then finally plan the next execution. All these levels that are mentioned are constantly repeated over and over again section by section until all the difficulties of the waterfall method are rectify. However, some of it advantages is that it is not use for minor project, it takes a very long time to be completed and also it is very expensive to manage. Similarly, it also has some limitations which include, controlling high level of risk analysis in a system development and also used for project were all requirement are complex. Thus it could be concluded that the spiral information system development method is mostly used for larger and complicated system development where the entire requirements are very difficult to understand compared to the waterfall and system development life cycle method. A diagram showing how the spiral method works is shown below: Fig 2: Spiral model. System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Method This is also another type of information system development method similar to the waterfall and the spiral method with series of activities followed in a circular other in stages through which every developer, database designer and project manager pass through as to develop an information system (Radack, 2009). The system development life cycle method is the overall cognitive process that takes place in the development of information systems in a gradual manner until there is an achievement of the best quality in the development of a system. In addition, (Dawson, 2005) also stated that the system development life cycle is the general process of developing, implementing, and constructing information systems through a multistep process from Requirement, Design, Build, Test and maintenance. However, some its features includes dividing stages into sub stages for easy management and also gives a room for going back to stage when there is a problem unlike the waterfall information system development method. It also has some limitations which includes not meeting the users requirements, not been stable, having lack of control and also having problems with documenting. On this basis, it can be inferred that the SDLC is a procedure that every information system development must pass through even if each of them emphasizes on different part of the five stages of the SDLC method. Below is a diagram that shows how the stages in the SDLC take place in a circular form moving from one stage to the other. Fig 3: System development life cycle model Information systems development method. A brief introduction of information system development method has been given at the beginning of this report but it will be better to look as the definition its self. Information systems development method (ISDM) is defined as: A collection of procedures, techniques, tools and documentation aids which help the system developers in their efforts to implement a new information system. A methodology will consist of phases, themselves consisting of sub phases, which will guide the systems developers in their choice of the techniques that might be appropriate at each stage of project and also help them plan, manage, control and evaluate information systems project (Avison Fitzgerald, 2006, p. 24). It is clear therefore that the information systems development methods concentrate on the general process of development. Categories of Information System Development Methods. Different categories of information systems development methods are considered in the outgrowth of developing an application. Although, every information systems development method has its own special way of approaching each stage of the ISDM process. Thus, the information system development method that exist include: Agile, SSM, SSADM, RAD, PRINCE, Spiral, SDLC, Waterfall, Object oriented, XP etc (Banks Wood-Harper, 2005). However, this information systems development method follows the same procedure known as life cycle. Difference between Software development methodology SDM and SDLC. Britton Doake (2006) differentiated the different between a software development methodology and system development life cycle as, a software development life cycle is mainly concerned about the overall development model of a system with different level of constructing procedures in addition to the sections and protocols that has to be used in completing each sections whereas a system development life cycle is strictly a sequence of activities that are carried out by designers and analyst to produced and implement an information system. Difference between System Analysis and System Design. Shelly (2008, p. 22) explain that System Analysis is the process of collecting or gathering all useful and possible requirement regarding the information system to be developed from the users and also determining how it will be put into the development of the system whereas System design is the process whereby all the requirement that was collected and analyzed during the system analysis stage is put together in the design of the system. Introduction to Project Management According to Kerzner (2006, pp.55-58), Project management can be defined as every unit of activity put to consideration or executed in achieving a common goal or task and the measurement of project success based on time, cost, and quality performance or scope critical success factors. However, information system development or project must be well managed in other to be successful. This is where project management is involved. In addition, project management deals more with the management of a project emphasizing more on time, cost and scope which are the most important issues in a project. Therefore, the main reason for managing a project is to present a well documented work or system development within a specific time in a full flesh package and of the best quality. Conclusion In conclusion, this report has been able to make a good comparison of three types of information system development methods which were waterfall, spiral and system development life cycle methods. In addition, it has also been able to include and discussed six topics that were related to information system development method.

Re-viewing Summer: the Way to Highland Park, A Selection From A Walker In the City :: Kazin Summer Highland Park

Kazin's Summer: The Way to Highland Park Sitting on the marble steps of the old, traditional American church, I began to feel cold. Two oriental lions, carved out of old white marble, surrounded me. Their faces were mean, and they seemed to be staring at something. As the beasts remained perfectly still, tiny creatures – black ants and brown bugs –very busily walked on their backs. As I looked around from my cold spot on the step, I could see an old, brick house. This house was like none other on the block. With a large American flag hanging on the door, this house – a symbol of the American dream – stood taller than all the other houses. My attention then shifted to two great big evergreen trees on each facade, and the beautiful bed of flowers, of all shapes, sizes, and colors, wrapped tightly around the base of the house – the tracings of an American summer. There was a light through the upstairs’ window of the house. I could see a mother sitting with her baby son. Although all I could hear were the many crickets singing softly in the night, I knew that the loving mother was telling a bedtime story to her sweet and sleepy child. My America is a very beautiful place, not only because of the big cities, tall buildings, stone statues, and pretty flowers, but also because of the people who make America what it is today. Knowing within every blue, black, brown, green, and gray eye you see on the streets of America – and like me, every window you look through – there are stories, hopes and even dreams, this thought brings me the greatest pleasure, as it did Alfred Kazin. Kazin’s greatest pleasure came looking at the many historical landmarks that New York had to offer and thinking of the many people who struggled to make those astonishing contributions. In â€Å"Summer: The Way to Highland Park† (1951), Kazin takes us into his childhood in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, describing his America with such tactile distinction that we too can â€Å"taste the damp sweetness of Italian cheese† and â€Å"see the clumps of red and brown meat dripping off [the] sausage rings† (Kazin 332). â€Å"You cannot grow up in that kind of environment, without absorbing and re-expressing a fantastically physical world,† states Kazin in an National Public Radio news recording.

Software Development Life Cycle

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE SUMMARY SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE is basically a framework which describes the activities performed at each stage of a software development Project. These activities involve stages like the requirements, design, implementation, testing, installation and maintenance. In the information technology industry, SDLC plays a big role. No software development process will ever be completed efficiently and also meeting the budget client requirements without SDLC. This is because SDLC involves a structural framework which describes the phases involved in information system development. SDLC in management is an important factor which needs to be taken into consideration if you want a software development project to be resounding success. The phases of SDLC can vary somewhat but generally include the following: Conceptualization Requirements and cost/benefits analysis Detailed specification of the software requirements Software design Programming Testing User and technical training; and Maintenance The following are some basic popular models that are adopted by many software development firms System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Model Prototyping Model Rapid Application Development Model Component Assembly Model As part of my research project I would be studying the core principles of SDLC. I would also perform research on available SDLC models in the information technology industry. System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Model This is also known as Classic Life Cycle Model (or) Linear Sequential Model (or) Waterfall Method. This model has the following. Most software teams still use a waterfall process for development projects. Taking an extreme waterfall approach means that you complete a number of phases in a strictly ordered sequence: requirements analysis, design, implementation/integration, and then testingg activities. 1. System/Information Engineering and Modeling As software is always of a large system (or business), work begins by establishing the requirements for all system elements and then allocating some subset of these requirements to software. This system view is essential when the software must interface with other elements such as hardware, people and other resources. System is the basic and very critical requirement for the existence of software in any entity. So if the system is not in place, the system should be engineered and put in place. In some cases, to extract the maximum output, the system should be re-engineered and spruced up. Once the ideal system is engineered or tuned, the development team studies the software requirement for the system. 2. Software Requirement Analysis This process is also known as feasibility study. In this phase, the development team visits the customer and studies their system. They investigate the need for possible software automation in the given system. By the end of the feasibility study, the team furnishes a document that holds the different specific recommendations for the candidate system. It also includes the personnel assignments, costs, project schedule, target dates etc†¦. The requirement gathering process is intensified and focussed specially on software. To understand the nature of the program(s) to be built, the system engineer or â€Å"Analyst† must understand the information domain for the software, as well as required function, behavior, performance and interfacing. The essential purpose of this phase is to find the need and to define the problem that needs to be solved . 3. System Analysis and Design In this phase, the software development process, the software's overall structure and its nuances are defined. In terms of the client/server technology, the number of tiers needed for the package architecture, the database design, the data structure design etc†¦ are all defined in this phase. A software development model is thus created. Analysis and Design are very crucial in the whole development cycle. Any glitch in the design phase could be very expensive to solve in the later stage of the software development. Much care is taken during this phase. The logical system of the product is developed in this phase. 4. Code Generation The design must be translated into a machine-readable form. The code generation step performs this task. If the design is performed in a detailed manner, code generation can be accomplished without much complication. Programming tools like compilers, interpreters, debuggers etc†¦ are used to generate the code. Different high level programming languages like C, C++, Pascal, Java are used for coding. With respect to the type of application, the right programming language is chosen. 5. Testing Agile software development refers to a group of software development methodologies based on iterative development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams. Agile methods generally promote a disciplined project management process that encourages frequent inspection and adaptation, a leadership philosophy that encourages teamwork, self-organization and accountability, a set of engineering best practices intended to allow for rapid delivery of high-quality software, and a business approach that aligns development with customer needs and company goals. Agile methods have much in common with the â€Å"Rapid Application Development† techniqu

Riskmanagementguidance

To promote, and thereby support inclusive decision making as a collaborative and empowering process, which is fully attentive to the individual's perspective and to the views of the primary career. To enable and support the positive management Of risks where this is fully endorsed by the multi-disciplinary team as having positive outcomes. C] To promote and enhance safer working environments. C] To provide a shared theoretically sound basis for multi-agency training and or the monitoring and auditing of service responses.C] To promote the adoption by all staff of ‘defensible decisions' rather than ‘defensive decisions'. 1. 3 Review of this Guide: The Guide will be reviewed annually. The next review will take place in September 2011. Page 4 Of 38 2. Introduction 2. 1 The saying â€Å"nothing ventured, nothing gained† makes the point that unless someone takes a risk and tries new activities, they will never know of the positive benefits that might result. In our soci ety, people are encouraged to travel widely, take part in regular leisure and sporting activities, go to college, evolve careers and have families.These are all activities that don't just happen, but mean people have to take risks to achieve their aspirations. 2. 2 For many people taking risks is an accepted part of life. However people with a disability and older people are often discouraged from taking risks, either because of their perceived limitations or fear that they or others might be harmed. 2. 3 Changes in society's attitude towards disability, social care and health policy now mean that people with a disability and older people are being actively encouraged to increase their independence in their daily activities and sections about the services they receive.The focus is now more on enhancing people's abilities rather than concentrating on their disabilities. 2. 4 â€Å"Historically, social care has been good at providing services that minimized risk. However, personaliza tion means that in the future Social Care (and Health Services) have to work towards providing choices rather than services. † 1 2. 5 This Guide is concerned with setting out the approach that the Isle of Wight Council and PACT expect its staff to adopt towards the issue of risk when they work with adults with a disability and older people. 6 When implementing this Guide in day-to-day practice, the Isle of Wight Council and PACT recognize that any risk-taking approach must be balanced with their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding adults and children, care standards and health and safety legislation. 2. 7 In addition, whilst this Guide Will encourage the Council's leisure, sport and cultural services to work with social care services and their users around the issue of risk, it should not lead them to feel they have to individually risk assess every person who use their services outside of their duty of care awards all consumers.We recognize that to do so WOUld be bot h impractical and potentially discriminatory. However there may be circumstances in which some services provided may need to assess the risk to an individual. They will explain their justification for Safeguarding Adults: A consultation on the review of the â€Å"no secrets guidance†: DOD / Dignity and Safety / Lucy Abandoner – 14 October 2008 Page 5 of 38 this and do everything practical to enable the individual's inclusion in the activities in which they want to take part. 2. The Council and Pact's Services will also endeavourer through their impassioning arrangements and Service Level Agreements to encourage the individuals, agencies and set-vices it funds, or with which it contracts, to manage risks positively. 2. 9 The Guide will support the Council and PACT to fulfill their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and the Mental capacity Act 2005. The Mental capacity Act 2005 and its code of practice provides a statutory framework f or people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves.The Guide supports the Human Rights Act 1998 as it empowers people make decisions for themselves where possible and places individuals at the heart of the decision making process. 2. 10 The Local Authority and PACT owe a duty of care to all their service users. Any risk taking has potential legal implications in negligence. However, these can be minimized where there is a positive approach which generates a clear trail of written records showing the issues and solutions which have been considered, and there is an explicit and justifiable rationale for risk management decisions. 2. 1 The fundamental principle of this Guide is that support is provided to individuals to enable them to receive personalized care / support that meets heir needs regardless of their disability, age, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexuality. This also applies to people with a particular medical or psychiatric diagnosis. This support must exist with in a framework of risk assessment and management that is collaborative, transparent and enabling. Page 6 of 38 3. What is risk? 3. 1 Risk is the possibility that an event will occur with harmful outcomes for a particular person or others with whom they come into contact. . 2 A risk event can have harmful outcomes because of: L] risks associated with impairment or disability such as falls C health notations or mental health problems C] accidents, for example, whilst out in the community or at a social care / us port service risks associated with everyday activities that might be increased by a person's impairment or disability C] the use of medication C] the misuse of drugs or alcohol C] behaviors resulting in injury, neglect, abuse, and exploitation by self or others C] self harm, neglect or thoughts of suicide.L] aggression and violence CLC poor planning or service management 3. 3 The type of outcome depends on the nature of the person, their relationships tit others and the circum stances in which they find themselves. 3. 4 Risk is often thought of in terms of danger, loss, threat, damage or injury. But as well as potentially negative characteristics, risk-taking can have positive benefits for individuals and their communities. 3. 5 Risk can be minimized by the support of others, who can be staff, family, friends, etc.However, in promoting independence, individual responsibility for taking risks must be a balance between safeguarding someone from harm and enabling them to lead a more independent life where they effectively manage risks themselves. . 6 A balance therefore has to be achieved between the desire of people to do everyday activities with the duty of care owed by services and employers to their staff and to users of services, and the legal duties of statutory and community services and independent providers.As well as considering the dangers associated with risk, the potential benefits of risk-taking have to be identified (nothing ventured, nothing gained'). This should involve everyone affected – adults who use services, their families and practitioners. Page 7 of 38 4. What is ‘managing risk positively? 4. 1 Managing risk positively' is: weighing up the potential benefits and harms of exercising one choice of action over another, identifying the potential risks involved, and developing plans and actions that reflect the positive potential and stated priorities of the service user.It involves using available resources and support to achieve the desired outcomes, and minimizing the potential harmful outcomes. It is not negligent ignorance of the potential risks†¦ It is usually a very carefully thought out strategy for managing a specific situation or set of circumstances. † (Steve Morgan, 2004)2 . For community based services, this means: C] empowering people C] working in partnership with adults who use services or direct their own support, family career and advocates 0 developing an understanding of t he responsibilities of each party 0 helping people to access opportunities and take worthwhile chances CLC developing trusting working relationships 0 helping adults who use services to learn from their experiences 0 understanding the consequences of different actions 0 making decisions based on all the choices available and accurate information L] being positive about potential risksC] understanding a person's strengths C] knowing what has worked or not in the past L] where problems have arisen, understanding why C] ensuring support and advocacy is available to all users of services, particularly if things begin to go wrong for someone sometimes tolerating supported short-term risks in consultation with the service user, for long-term gains 2 Morgan, S. (2004). Positive risk-taking: an idea whose time has come.