Veronica Thompson
Stories (16/0)
Technology and the Student with Special Needs
The road to hell is often paved with good intentions. It is a rare occasion when an initiative generates the same results or anticipated outcomes when put into practice as it does in theory. From the heterogeneous classroom model to extreme standardized testing, many may agree that what often seems innovative and progressive in both thought and on paper doesn't always play out as anticipated in practice, especially when the impacted subjects are human beings. Perhaps the greatest example of "great in theory much to be desired in practice" is the dependency on technology by students with special needs, more specifically students with needs in the areas of social development, reciprocal communication and sensory/ motor development.Technology, specifically tablets and smartphones have opened up a world of possibilities for children who require more concrete and instant access to instructional and therapeutic materials. By replacing the computer mouse with the touch of a finger, a student who may have avoided using a computer due to sensory related issues may be more inclined to utilize technology providing them with an array of apps that are designed to support everything from communication based disorders to fine motor delays. Yes, the tablet and smartphone were/are the answer to every special education teacher, developmental therapist and parent/guardian of a child with special needs prayers. What could possibly go wrong?
By Veronica Thompson4 years ago in Education
Bullies Beget Bullies
We are all hypocrites! We are a mainstream culture that celebrates narcissism, egoism and instant self gratification. We are a society that finds humor and pleasure in photographing and video recording unsuspecting people without their consent and posting it to social media outlets for our own humor and the humor of our "friends" without regard to the feelings of the person. We are a society that would much rather use our hands to hold our phones and record a person in danger than extend our hand to help that person, or at the least to call for help. We are a society that finds pleasure in and celebrates our good deeds by filming people at their lowest points in life so that our "Good deeds" are validated by the world.
By Veronica Thompson4 years ago in Humans
I Found Love in a Laundormat
From the moment she opened her eyes, she knew it would be one of those days. One of those days that had become more frequent than in days past. One of those days where her only desired destination was her bed. One of those days when she would have to put on the biggest smile to mask the drainage that was oozing from the wounds of her soul. She couldn’t pinpoint a specific reason as to why she felt like shit this morning, she just knew that she did. As she rolled over convincing herself of reasons as to why she should call out of work, she quickly remembered the primary reason as to why calling out of work wasn’t an option. The idea of homelessness always scared her and outweighed any other reason that she could think of to stay home. If she didn’t work, she wouldn’t have money, if she didn’t have money she couldn’t pay her bills, so as tempting as the thought of pulling the cover over her head and sulking for the entire day was, the thought of living on the streets was a good deterrent.
By Veronica Thompson4 years ago in Humans
Memories: My Most Relentless Enemy.
I am convinced that hell does not exist, well at least not as an entity outside of ourselves. Whether there is life after death, that remains to be determined, however I emphatically believe that a merciful and just God would not allow for the existence of a place that could be more dreadful and painful than our own mind, more specifically our memories. Oh memories, like the corners of my mind, yeah…. memories like the deepest, smelliest, hottest corners of hell. Don’t get me wrong, memories can bring smiles to our faces, joy to our hearts and calmness to a racing mind, but boy oh boy, on the flipside, memories can stagnate you, cause tears to roll down your face at the most inopportune moments, memories, the cause of insomnia, the cause of depression, crippling anxiety and so many other unpleasant things.
By Veronica Thompson4 years ago in Psyche