Teacher-Workshop on Inclusion and Inclusive Strategies

A workshop on Inclusive Strategies was conducted by Expressions India, a CBSE-empanelled agency which specialises in National Life Skills, Value Education and a School Wellness Programme on 24th March, 2015 at Moolchand Medicity. The workshop was attended by special educators from across the country. 4 teachers from our School Ms. Vandana Misra, Ms. Bhanu Batra, Ms. Arundhati Gohain nd Ms. Madhuri Rajdev attended the session. The focus of the workshop was the inclusion of children with special needs in the classroom with the other children. To enable this integration it is very vital that the teacher is sensitised to the learning, social and physical needs of the students. One of the most important steps towards inclusion is sensitisation of people ( the peer group, teachers, parents of the child and the parents of other children.). Strategies for Inclusion are the following. Teachers role in the classroom: A teacher has a special role to play when trying to maximise the learning potential of students with special needs. The teacher facilitates learning by encouraging, prompting, and by interacting. The teachers role is to create a welcoming environment and to provide students with ongoing opportunities to learn, share and engage in classroom activities. Physical space: the physical space of the classroom supports an inclusive learning environment. To list a few aspects; low sound work-areas for children with ADHD, disabled -friendly classes and corridors, classroom dcor- an inclusive classroom needs to be decorated in a way that does not create distraction. Too many bright colours, posters, and loud furniture can easily distract even the most focused child. Accommodations: Students with special needs must be free to learn at their own pace and have accommodations and alternative assessment strategies to meet their unique needs. They need to experience success. A popular saying is If I cant learn the way you teach, teach me the way I learn. Peer Support: Peer support is one of the most essential ingredients in an inclusive classroom. It minimises the problem of teasing/bullying and provides opportunities for cooperative learning. Class teachers need to create buddy groups. The groups will have supporters that help the children with special needs. Teachers must appreciate and reinforce students who are willing to help. Parents Support: Parents need to accept the child the way he/she is. They need to help the child to develop his/her skills and to help with the reinforcement of learning that happens. Expectations need to be realistic. The involvement of parents is important and one which if filled with patience. We also discussed strategies to assist teachers in meeting the needs of students in an inclusive classroom as well as CBSE's relaxations for children with disability. As a famous quote goes, One size does not fit all, in quite the same way, there is nothing right or wrong in inclusion. Nothing is certain. What works for one may or may not work for another. It is a unique model that we need to follow for each child. Ms. Vandana Misra and Ms. Madhuri Rajdev.