Karten (2011) states, “all students are unique, and educators must recognize, honor, and capitalize on students’ strengths while providing inclusion strategies that respect students’ differences” (p.163). I believe that this should be a guiding principle for all teachers
Karten (2011) states, “all students are unique, and educators
must recognize, honor, and capitalize on students’ strengths while
providing inclusion strategies that respect students’ differences”
(p.163). I believe that this should be a guiding principle for all
teachers. However, I must admit that creating an inclusive
classroom is not always easy, but it can definitely be done. With
this in mind, I want to bring in Universal Design for Learning. A
classroom that incorporates universal design for learning (UDL)
welcomes students of all abilities and cultures and does not single
anyone out (Karten, 2011). UDL is a great concept which requires
some planning and openness to new ideas. Some ideas that are
important to creating a classroom that welcomes UDL include
providing different options for perception such as visual,
auditory, and sensory, and providing different forms of
representation such as using a graph to show comparison as well as
giving verbal descriptions and making sure to incorporate all the
primary languages in the class (Cast, nd.). It is also important to
provide options for comprehension so that all the students are
learning how to apply their knowledge to further learning (Cast,
nd.). From my experience as a teacher, I have found that if the
children are not interested in the material being taught and the
method of teaching, then their performance and motivation will be
down. That is why it is important to provide options for student
interest as well as for sustaining their effort and persistence by
providing motivation (Cast, nd.).
I want to also switch gears a bit to differentiated instruction which plays a very important role in student achievement…especially in an inclusive environment. It is important to highlight that instruction must be tailored (differentiated) to meet the unique and diverse learning styles of all students. Teachers should not take a “one size fit all” approach. Karten (2011) further asserts that differentiated instruction is one way of acknowledging that people learn in different ways (p. 27). According to research, it was thought (in the past) that lecturing and even teaching from the desk were both effective methods of teaching. However, students need a variety of teaching methods to learn because they all possess different learning processes. With this in mind, by differentiating your instruction teachers will be able to meet the diverse learning styles of their students. Differentiated inclusive practices are instructional methods used to effectively make adaptations to address the needs of academically diverse learners. It is a philosophy of learning which is commonly recognized as individualized learning. According to research, “It is NOT a recipe for learning. It is NOT an instructional strategy. Rather, a way of thinking about teaching and learning that advocates beginning where individuals are instead of a prescribed plan of action which ignores student readiness, interest, and learning profile” (Tomlinson, 1999; Karten, 2011). Considering what you have learned/researched, how can you foster a proactive learning environment that promotes engaging instruction, equity, and tolerance? Please explain. Thanks again! Dr. Mac
Reference:
CAST. (n.d.). About UDL: What is universal design for learning? Retrieved from http://cast.org/udl/index.html
Karten, T.J. (2011). Inclusion strategies & interventions. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
I want to also switch gears a bit to differentiated instruction which plays a very important role in student achievement…especially in an inclusive environment. It is important to highlight that instruction must be tailored (differentiated) to meet the unique and diverse learning styles of all students. Teachers should not take a “one size fit all” approach. Karten (2011) further asserts that differentiated instruction is one way of acknowledging that people learn in different ways (p. 27). According to research, it was thought (in the past) that lecturing and even teaching from the desk were both effective methods of teaching. However, students need a variety of teaching methods to learn because they all possess different learning processes. With this in mind, by differentiating your instruction teachers will be able to meet the diverse learning styles of their students. Differentiated inclusive practices are instructional methods used to effectively make adaptations to address the needs of academically diverse learners. It is a philosophy of learning which is commonly recognized as individualized learning. According to research, “It is NOT a recipe for learning. It is NOT an instructional strategy. Rather, a way of thinking about teaching and learning that advocates beginning where individuals are instead of a prescribed plan of action which ignores student readiness, interest, and learning profile” (Tomlinson, 1999; Karten, 2011). Considering what you have learned/researched, how can you foster a proactive learning environment that promotes engaging instruction, equity, and tolerance? Please explain. Thanks again! Dr. Mac
Reference:
CAST. (n.d.). About UDL: What is universal design for learning? Retrieved from http://cast.org/udl/index.html
Karten, T.J. (2011). Inclusion strategies & interventions. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Assignment status: Resolved by our Writing Team
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