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Introduction the Understanding diversity within society
Introduction the Understanding diversity within society
Explain diversity
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Throughout this semester I have been determined to engage with this course as a whole. I have attended and engaged with all lectures, tutorials and excursions. This is not because I have had to attend but because I have never been this interested and motivated to attend. In addition to this I have followed up on my learning by looking further into inclusivity. I have done this by reading the articles and resources that have been provided by Peter and Richard on Black Board and in class, such as the Welcome to Holland article and the articles outlining how schools are failing students with disabilities. I have contributed to every tutorial and have therefore taken an active role in this semester. In each session I have collaborated with others, I have asked questions to clarify my understanding of inclusivity and I have ensured that I am a valued member of this class. Each week, both in class and out, I have tried my hardest to take on what I have learnt in this course and be an inclusive person. Whether that is when I am working with my peers in a group, teaching students in a classroom (on placement or as a teacher …show more content…
My knowledge of inclusivity, diversity and of some disabilities and disorders has been built upon throughout this course. Prior to this course my understanding of inclusivity was celebrating diversity in the classroom. This idea of celebrations is still a concept that I will use proudly in my classroom, however, now at the end of the semester my knowledge of what inclusivity is has been unpacked further. All of our special guests as well as Richard and Peter have not only taught me what it means to be inclusive but they have also shown me a new way to look at inclusivity and diversity. I now know the importance of seeing the child first and not the disability or disorder. And thanks to all of my peers’ brochures, I have been educated on some disabilities and disorders that may become a part of my
“Including Samuel” is a documentary about the complexities of inclusion. Like so many other issues in our lives, the solutions are far from clear. This film explains a kid named Samuel and the family’s efforts to provide an education that involves inclusion for him and his disability. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 4. The film then describes other people like Nathaniel and Emily that struggle with inclusion and the difficulties they face on a day to day basis. An analysis of this film shows the filmmakers effective and accurate complexities of inclusion to a full extent.
Disability can affect development in a variety of ways. It is important that every pupil feels valued and included. Diversity should be welcomed. Children should not be stereotyped because of
Sapon-Shevin, M. (2008). Learning in an inclusive community. In J. W. Noll (Ed.), Taking sides: Clashing views on educational issues (17th ed.) (pp.226-232). New York, NY:McGraw-Hill.
Another powerful video, Including Samuel, ignited my insight in this week’s class. As I heard in the video, “inclusion is an easy thing to do poorly.” The movie chronicles the life of a young boy, Samuel, and his family. With the shock of learning about their son’s disability, it caused his parents, Dan and Betsy, to experience the unexpected. Nevertheless, they did everything to include their son and help him live a normal life focused on his capabilities, rather than his incapabilities. I even admired how his friends knew so much about him, his likes and dislikes, his strengths and his weaknesses.
What do we do with children with disabilities in the public school? Do we include them in the general education class with the “regular” learning population or do we separate them to learn in a special environment more suited to their needs? The problem is many people have argued what is most effective, full inclusion where students with all ranges of disabilities are included in regular education classes for the entire day, or partial inclusion where children spend part of their day in a regular education setting and the rest of the day in a special education or resource class for the opportunity to work in a smaller group setting on specific needs. The need for care for children with identified disabilities both physical and learning continues to grow and the controversy continues.
Slee, R. (2001). Driven to the margins: disabled students, inclusive schooling and the politics of possibility [Electronic Version]. Cambridge Journal of Education, 31, 385-397. Retrieved March 8, 2010, from Learning at Griffith.
“The 1% of US students with labels of severe disabilities including mental retardation have been historically excluded from ‘inclusive’ education” (Bentley, 2008, p. 543). Laws such as PL 94-142 and “No Child Left Behind” (as cited in Bentley), say that ‘public school students with all types of disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment—‘to the maximum extent possible…with children who do not have disabilities’ the majority of these students with special education labels, such as, mental retardation and multiple disabilities are still isolated in special education classrooms (Bentley, 2008, p. 545). Wehmeyer (as cited in Bentley), points out that mere access does not promote authentic participation (Bentley, 2008, p. 546). Burkowski et al (as cited in Webster and Cater), “Friendship has been defined as a bond between two individuals that is stable across time and involves mutual affection, mutual preference and having fun together” (Webster and Carter, 2007, p. 201). It is up to parents, teachers and other paraprofessionals to seek ways to facilitate and encourage the types of positive interactions that will foster these types of friendships. If done successfully all students will benefit and there will be true inclusion.
Inclusion 'mainstreams' physically, mentally, and multiply disabled children into regular classrooms. In the fifties and sixties, disabled children were not allowed in regular classrooms. In 1975 Congress passed the Education of all Handicapped Students Act, now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA mandates that all children, regardless of disability, had the right to free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Different states have different variations of the law. Some allow special needs students to be in a regular education classroom all day and for every subject, and others allow special education students to be in a regular education classroom for some subjects and in a separate classroom for the rest. There are many different views on inclusive education. In this paper I will address some of the positive and negative views on inclusion and ways to prepare educators for inclusive education.
Lynch, S., & Irvine , A. (2009). Inclusive education and best practice for children with
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.
Diversity is a notion, when applied to the majority of circumstances, can create a positive conclusion. The trick to producing a positive outcome is often how the different aspects are brought together. Consider a classic dinner combination peas and carrots, the two colors look appealing and the two flavors comes together as one making a superb side dish. Now consider oil and water, these two substance are not often considered a good combination. Although, this is not always the case; olive oil and vinegar (which is water based) when mixed, come together into a delectable salad dressing. Diversity and inclusion should also apply to humans by bringing people together who are different it can creates a whole that is enhanced by the uniqueness of each individual.
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). This statement shows that all children may require differing approaches in education, and that learners with and without diagnoses require an educator that is skilled in the practice of inclusion. Key strategies such as early intervention, partnerships with parents/whānau, transitioning, and equitable teaching are practices that inclusive educational settings use to ensure that all children are provided for within the setting. Partnerships with parents/whānau and other professionals are key to ensuring that inclusion is achieved.
Inclusion is a basic human right for all students and differences are what make us unique. These differences should be embraced, not shunned. A student with extra educational needs may very well be capable of great things, but only if we, the educators, allow them the chance to be. Inclusion is the way forward
Prior to Introduction to Inclusive Education, I viewed people with disabilities from the separation perspective. They were the obvious group of individuals, the people motioning down the street with canes, walking with obedient guide dogs, parking within the blue lines, sitting in the reserved seats at the front of the bus, staring in the designated section to see the sign language interpretation, and the people who simply didn’t blend in with the rest. People with disabilities were different and incapable to perform like others; or if they could perform, they needed assistance at all times. I held this viewpoint, not because I wanted to, but because society played a critical role in my outlook.
Special education is an incredibly important, but often underappreciated aspect of education. There is a stigma around individuals with disabilities, that leads people to assume those in special education are less capable or smart as their peers in in a strictly traditional classroom setting. That could not be farther from the truth though, and the individuals in special education are just as capable of learning and maturing in to successful adults. As a future teacher, I was not really aware of how little I knew about special education until I enrolled in this course. This course has helped change and shape my views of special education, and helped me gain a better understanding of what exceptional children are and how I can better serve them