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How Teachers Can Use Inclusive Learning Environment
Positive implications of inclusion on students
Aspects of inclusive education
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I have been an educator for over 20 years and it was not until recently that the notion of inclusive education became an aspect which I committed extensive thought to. Initially its portrayal as something which is both controversial and generously contested within the education field caused me degrees of confusion. Articulating a definition of what is inclusive education due to its various interpretations and uses has proven challenging (Ryndak, Jackson & Billingsley, 2000). Its founding principles confront the perceived traditions associated with general education as much as those within special education (Connor & Ferri, 2007). This led me to question, is it another name for special education? Is it completely different? Is it an improved version? How is it different to general …show more content…
Evidence based practices should be incorporated and curriculum content and classroom and teaching practice be modified to accommodate the diverse needs, behaviours and styles of learning of students (Browder & Cooper-Duffy, 2003; Vaughn & Schumm, 1995). Inclusive education requires collaboration (Boyle & Topping, 2012; Vaughn & Schumm, 1995). This is most needed when devising a student Individual Education Plan (IEP). Educators need to work with other educators, students, their families and other community and professional agencies to ensure the supports and services students require are provided (Boyle & Topping, 2012; Vaughn & Schumm, 1995; York‐Barr, Sommerness, Duke & Ghere, 2005). When all stakeholders cooperate, reflect, share resources, skills and knowledge, students receive maximum benefit (Vaughn & Schumm, 1995; Whittaker, Salend & Dehaney, 2001). Planning, assessment and review of all measures taken, strategies and/or interventions implemented require frequent assessment and review to monitor progress (Boyle & Topping, 2012) and determine future
The movement for inclusion in education has advanced since the years of special schools for children with disabilities. Although there have been significant changes to the laws protecting the rights of children with disabilities there remains an underlying debate as to whether these children should be in main stream classes. Most states and territories in Australia practice inclusive education, however this remains a contentious topic with differing attitudes. It is evident whilst many challenges remain, schools should implement and deliver quality programs that reflect best practice policies. Positive teacher attitudes, promoting diversity, modelling inclusion in the classroom and developing a sense of community by working in partnerships
Sands, D., Kozleski, E., & French, N. (2000). Inclusive education for the 21st century: A new
Peterson, J. Michael and Hittie, Marie Michael. Inclusive Teaching : Creating Effective Schools for All Learners. Pearson Publishing. (2003)
Slee (2001) argues that inclusive schooling demands schools to recognise all types of difference from disabilities, ethnicity, gender, class and sexuality. Furthermore, he challenges schools to accept difference, to encourage and promote flexibility thus benefiting not only the curriculum and pedagogy, but the community and students themselves (Slee, 2001).
Downing, J. E., & Peckham-Hardin, K. D. (2007). Inclusive Education: What Makes It a Good Education for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities?. Research and Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities (RPSD), 32(1), 16-30.
In order for inclusion to be implemented properly it is important that teachers, parents, and administrators to know the definition of inclusion. An inclusion program means that the student spends all or most of their school time in the general education classroom rather than a self-contained classroom. However, the students will still receive the support and interventions they would have received in a self-contained classroom. There are different types of inclusive classrooms where different types of teaching occur. There is co-teaching where there is both a general education teacher and a special education teacher that co teach. Both will work with students that have an individualized education plan (IEP) and the student will receive more support. In addition, an inclusive classroom can have a general education teacher but has the special education teacher as a resource or aid, which qualifies as a collaborative model of inclusion.
“Thomas Aquinas once wrote that it is better to know a little of what is important than a lot of what is unimportant” (Stancil, 252). Students should have a balance of street smarts and book smarts so they can be successful in whichever career they may choose. If the typical education focuses on teaching the students only certain areas they may or may not use, then how will the students be completely prepare for life? If education is supposed to prepare students for life, then can anyone really limit or define education? Kim Jones, a CEO who wrote an article on education, claims “Education does not have a single purpose; it serves multiple objectives, and the relative importance of each of these objectives can be very personal” (Forbes.com).
Full inclusion is like communism. It looks good on paper and may even sound good, but does not actually work to benefit all involved. Full inclusion is the idea of including every student with a disability, regardless of severity, into the general classroom. While it sounds like a great idea, it would not benefit every student with disabilities, every time and could hinder the education of non-disabled students. Full inclusion is not feasible for all students with disabilities.
Inclusion in classrooms is defined as combining students with disabilities and students without disabilities together in an educational environment. It provides all students with a better sense of belonging. They will enable friendships and evolve feelings of being a member of a diverse community (Bronson, 1999). Inclusion benefits students without disabilities by developing a sense of helping others and respecting other diverse people. By this, the students will build up an appreciation that everyone has unique yet wonderful abilities and personalities (Bronson, 1999). This will enhance their communication skills later in life. Inclusive classrooms provide students with disabilities a better education on the same level as their peers. Since all students would be in the same educational environment, they would follow the same curriculum and not separate ones based on their disability. The main element to a successful inclusive classroom, is the teachers effort to plan the curriculum to fit all students needs. Teachers must make sure that they are making the material challenging enough for students without special needs and understandable to students with special needs. Inclusive classrooms are beneficial to students with and without special needs.
Special education is the practice of educating students with special educational needs by addressing their individual needs and differences. This process involves the individually planned arrangements of teaching procedures, adapted materials and equipment as well as accessible settings designed to help students with special needs to achieve a higher level of education and success. Usually parents that who has a child with special needs would like for their child to receive a quality education. People understand when talking about or describing a child with special needs that the child has educational needs, or has learning difficulties or disabilities for instance it is harder for them to learn than other children.
Inclusion is not a new idea, but has been rapidly gaining momentum within many disciplines internationally. Inclusive education is a term often associated with special education, and children with additional needs. However, inclusive education is about ensuring that educational settings allow for meaningful participation by all learners. Each child has their own unique identity, ways of doing things, strengths and weaknesses. Ministry of Education [MoE] (1998) states that teachers “should recognise that as all students are individuals, their learning may call for different approaches, different resourcing, and different goals” (p. 39, emphasis added).
Inclusion of all students in classrooms has been an ongoing issue for the past twenty-five years (Noll, 2013). The controversy is should special education students be placed in an inclusion setting or should they be placed in a special education classroom? If the answer is yes to all special education students being placed in inclusion, then how should the inclusion model look? Every students is to receive a free an appropriate education. According to the Individual Education Act (IDEA), all students should be placed in the Least Restrictive Learning Environment (Noll, 2013).
Inclusion is the main issue within the inclusive learning environment, if a child doesn’t feel included within their environment then their learning will be effected by this. The Oxford English Dictionary defines inclusion as “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure” (Oxford English Dictionary 2011: Inclusion) This means that every child should feel involved and included, no matter of there different learning abilities or levels. This can mean children who have special educational needs, such as dyslexia, physical disability or metal disability. Inclusion should provide opportunities for all children, no matter of their age, race, gender, disability, religion, ability or their background, to be involved within their learning environment. Each child should feel like they belong and feel like they are...
In first being able to define inclusive education, it is necessary to understand the diversity of the student population. Disability comes in my varying forms and can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental health and emotional, developmental, and non-visible (e.g. asthma). If disability was the only agent to consider in the diversity scenario things would be easier for teachers but there are a number of other classifications of students to consider: Gifted or talented; English as a second language (ESL); Indigenous students; and many other classifications which fall under the societal/family/personal heading (Ashman & Elkin, 2012).
Inclusion has become increasingly important in education in recent years, with the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act being passed in 2004 to ensure equality in our system. In summary, inclusion is the idea of there being no child...