Inclusive classroom
Inclusive classroom
Inclusive classroom
Inclusive classroom refers to a classroom in which students with normal ability and those of disabilities are brought together to learn under the same roof. Such students with disabilities can be those for instance, with very low or very high IQ or it can be those with autism disorder among others. There are various debates whether having an inclusive classroom is important or it is better to have separated classroom. This article argues out why it is important to have an inclusive classroom pointing out its benefits.
Importance of having an Inclusive Classroom
The National Association of State Boards of Education (1992) had the following report: (Issues, 1999)
43 percent special education students don't graduate.
Youths with disabilities are recorded to possess a high chance of arrest as compared to normal youth (12 versus 8 percent);
Approximately 50 percent of all the youth with disabilities end up getting employed after school.
These facts show the importance that inclusive learning should have if emphasized in the society. Such students will be given a chance to explore their talents and abilities. These statistics seem to be a good reason to have inclusion. It is true that having students with disabilities is cost effective but it should not be done at the expense of the teacher. Most teachers do not have the skills required to deal with such mixed classes, it therefore means that parents and other stakeholders like the government should look into the position of a teacher in the impartation of knowledge as well as offering training in the inclusive classroom skills (Schultz, 1998). It is very essential for any teacher to possess skills necessary for inclusive classroom in order to have effective learning and teaching
As much as it is important to the students with disabilities and the society at large, there are various factors that have to be put in place. For example, all the students must be encouraged to be active and not passive to enhance learning. A teacher should therefore incorporate all kinds of practical learning and when he can do so through involvement by question-answer technique. Parents should be equally involved since their presence is crucial. It is equally important for a teacher to learn that students with disabilities do not possess the same speed as the rest and therefore they should be allowed to lean at their own speed. In such a class the role of a teacher should be encouragement and allow the students to interact freely in class (Raskhke et al., 1999).
The inclusive classroom is important to the disabled child since he or she will be able to feel he or she belongs to the human family. By having such a perception it would also boost his or her self image. When an individual has a sense of self worth it is easier for him or her to perform well in school. The environment will be conducive with since it has diversity for their growth and learning. The children will also be able to learn diverse skills and have more friends some of whom are source of the diversity in skill. The disabled child can pick any of the friends as a model and therefore learn to imitate. Such imitations as well as life experiences prepare them to be incorporated in the wider society. Being in an inclusive environment or classroom gives a child to know what happens in the general public through his or her interaction with other students. Such plays in school and at times during weekends are good avenues for the same.It is a good opportunity to learn friend acquisition as well as retention skills (Shultz, 1998).
One's self respect is also obtained when an individual finds out that people appreciate him or her too. They will also be able to interact as well as learn with individuals in their age brackets and therefore it will be more favorable unlike if they were secluded and thus might end up learning with people of the same problem but of different age brackets. In addition, inclusive classroom is equally important because it gives room for experiencing diversity that exist in the society in a small setting; the classroom. Such also gives a picture that education system appreciates the fact that there is uniqueness and characteristics that are good in every individual. Disability has never and will never be an inability. It will also give a chance for students in the classroom to be able to respect the diversity that exist in other people especially the disabled in the wider society. Sensitivity is an important aspect when dealing with human beings therefore incase of such a classroom then students will know which limits to reach thus avoid hurting their friends or colleagues in the classroom who have any disability (Raskhkeet al 1999).
It also prepares a child for a future in which if such opportunity was not there he or she might not have gone such far. Non-disabled child is able to get a chance of getting role models from those who have been able to achieve despite their challenges in the society. This becomes as source of motivation to them. Research shows that most of the students with disabilities end up getting jobs. By incorporating them in the classroom, most parents can afford the cost unlike when they are taken to private institutions which are normally very expensive thus leading to some never going to school. This chance of attending school paves way for their careers in their lives
It is also a positive aspect in the life of a teacher. He or she will be able to have confidence as he or she teaches. Teachers feel good when they impart good attitudes to students and so such an opportunity of teaching an inclusive classroom will also be an avenue of teachers being role models so as to impart good values to students. Some of the things that teachers are expected to be dealing or fighting against are negative attitudes as well as behavioral challenges of the students (Salend, p.39).
Areas promoting effective learning in an inclusive classroom
Social Justice and citizenship
In such classrooms students are mostly encouraged to uphold equity as well as equal opportunities form part of most of the conversations in the classroom. Some classrooms have mottos that show that all the students belong no matter their differences. Inclusion puts the idea of social justice in the society to be real. It is therefore the teacher's role in such classrooms to be in the forefront to tell students the power of social justice (Salend 2001). Cases of bullying others are minimized especially in such classrooms since students will be able to empathize with those in the disability bracket. It thus leads to respect of the other members of the classroom that might have disabilities of any form.
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