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Saturday, May 9, 2015

Foundations of Inclusive Teaching

Module 1: Foundations of Inclusive Teaching
Francesca Ceppetelli & Alyssa Nahigian


Overview:
§  “Inclusive schooling is an educational movement that stresses interdependence and independence, views all students as capable, and values a sense of community. Further, it supports civil rights and equity in the classroom” (Kluth, 2015). It is every student’s right to have access to the general education curriculum.
History of Inclusion:

§  An example we looked at of how people with disabilities were treated in the past was the Willowbrook insititution.
§  Society viewed people with disabilities as not being normal members of society and often would send them away to be hidden and kept together separate from the “normal people”. This happened in 1947 to 1987.
§  The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disabilties.

Characteristics of Inclusive Education:

  • §            It is important to realize inclusion is for every student.
  • §              Inclusion and individualization are synonymous.
  • §               Collaboration is key for successful inclusion.
  • §              There are three types of inclusion; physical, academic and social.
  • §                 There should be equal access to the curriculum and the tools necessary to advance students as learners.

Communication:
§  Collaboration is key: all students belong to all the teachers.
§  There should be full communication between teachers, parents, and therapists need to plan time for collaboration and communication. Everyone should be kept updated and find out more about the education that students need.
§  Be aware of the students background and what they need going forward.
Design of Teaching:
§  It is important that everyone has a place and is participating in the classroom.
§  Everything that you do is differentiated to meet the needs of each and every student.
§  Each child has different needs. What can we ( as teachers) do differently with what we have? We need to implement the curriculum around the student by using UDL.
§  It is key that teachers have a positive attitude and believe that all students can excel.
Relationships Among Students:
§  Teachers and the principal need to create an atmosphere where everyone is accepted despite their differences.
§  It is crucial that students develop independence and find their own voice.
Accomodations:
§  Students gain more independence when there is an paraprofessional or teacher in the classroom that is available if needed but not specifically assigned to the student at all the times.
§  Assistive technology helps students to communicate and make their own decisions. It can also help all different kinds of learners access the general education curriculum.
Learn More:
§  At the Henderson School in Boston- This video talks about the concept of SWIFT which measn School wide Integrated Framework for Transformation. Viewers can see the direct result of this practice in an elementary school as well as listen to commentary from teachers who implement inclusion every day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRR67_osT-Q

§  Kluth - Is your school inclusive? – This is a blog that shows an insight into the different aspects of inclusion by showin how to implement it and why it is benefitial.  The site is set up like a blog so it is a great resource for teachers to use as a reference.

§  Characteristics of Inclusive Educators-This is a great summary video that shows the main points of inclusion and why it is important to practice inclusion.
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMYZLLLOmuk




                This web is to show some of the important components of successful inclusion. The five most important parts of successful inclusion are respect, implementing IEPs, acknowledging multiple intelligences, adapting the curriculum and creating a community of learners. The web is designed from a teacher’s perspective which shows that inclusion begins with the teacher.
 


References
Inclusion Project. (2011, September 3). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o__NMJuILM

Inclusive Learning: Everyone's In - Overview. (2012, September 25). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTXtT05782Y

Kluth, P. (2015, January 1). Paula Kluth. Retrieved March 25, 2015.




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