Inclusion

Inclusion

Which way shall we go?

Let’s try this way!

On the way towards inclusion

Inclusion is- a process and means change- about ALL of us- about living full lives- about our gifts and how to share them-not just a disability issue- about membership and belonging

WORKSHOP:How can we realize inclusion?

A person with special needs needs special means to achieve his potential.

Creative alternatives must be available for children who do not reach their potential the

typical way.

Is this challenge too big?

Challenges:-Diversity of needs combined with missing resources -Children with severe autism, mental retardation, behavioral problems etc.- The fear of the unknown; old attitudes--structures that do not allow creative alternatives

How can this philosophy be made operational?

Can it function in real life??

It requires a variety of other strategies, which often include one ormore of these words: consulting, collaborative, or co-operative.

CO-TEACHING IS ONE WAY TO REALIZE INCLUSION

We need new

tools!

Co-teaching means that two or more teachers teach the same class together in a shared room.

- Cook & Friend 1995

Six ways to realize co-teaching•alternate leading and supporting•station teaching•parallel teaching•flexible grouping•alternate teaching•team teaching - Morocco & Aquilar 2002

My Bachelor’s thesis about

The Process of Growing into Co-Teaching-a qualitative case study about a class teacher and a special education teacher teaching together a class with 19 pupils, of which about the half with special needs-Research questions:

- What motivates to change? How does a teacher experience this change, what does it mean in practice and what kind of support does he/she need? How does co-teaching influence to the teacher’s “survival” at work?

Results

-2 main categories:

1) The realization of co-teaching in these teachers’ class- about the half of the teaching could be defined as co-teaching-Teamteaching

2) The change process- a real need and an experience of meaningfulness - essential both as a change initiator and background factor for “survival” at work.

How to succeed in co-teaching?

- The shared goal of the best for the children- The same kind of pedagocical thinking and working- Openness and interaction- Shared responsibility, leadership and work- Tolerance and flexibility

The benifits of Co-Teaching

The challanges of Co-Teaching

- Sharing- One pupil gets more time and attention from a teacher

-The reduction of freedom- Lack of time to plan lessons- Coping at work

Some questions

Is voluntariness a requirement for succeeded co-teaching?Is it always meaningfull to try to realize ”pure” co-teaching?

How can teacher-education support co-teaching?

Inclusionin conclusion:

Children who learn together, learn to live together

Thank you!