Perspectives on inclusive education: learning from each other

Many courses of study are currently available that address inclusive education and, increasingly, distance education is seen as a flexible and appropriately inclusive way to deliver such courses. In this article a team of colleagues, Kieron Sheehy, Jonathan Rix, Melanie Nind and Katy Simmons, discusses the development of an Open University course, E243 Inclusive Education: Learning from Each Other, which was launched in February 2004. The team reflects on their own process of learning from each other and from the rich network of people involved, mirroring some of the course themes in their own journeys. Collaborative learning became a key theme within the course, both as a method for teaching within the ‘inclusive classroom’ and also as the process for producing a course in a contested and challenging area. This experience allowed the team to change and develop their own perspectives on important issues and, it is suggested, allowed the course to include ways in which students could be supported in having the same opportunity.     

Expanding opportunities to learn to support inclusive education through drama‐enhanced literacy practices

This study examines how the Early Years Educators at Play (EYEPlay) professional development (PD) programme supported inclusive learning settings for all children, including English language learners and students with disabilities. The EYEPlay PD model is a year‐long programme that integrates drama strategies into literacy practices within real‐classroom contexts. Inclusive education refers to ensuring equal opportunities to access and participation in learning activities for all students. Cultural‐historical activity theory was used to understand and unpack the drama practices. Twelve semi‐structured focus group interviews were conducted with 19 preschool teachers. The data were analysed via constant‐comparative and interpretive methods. The study findings showed that EYEPlay PD practices enhanced inclusive learning settings for diverse groups of students by increasing access and expanding opportunities to learn, and supporting a positive learning environment.     

Caregivers of school children with epilepsy: findings of a phenomenological study

Epilepsy is one of the most frequently diagnosed neurological disorders among children. Epilepsy is continuously linked with academic underachievement and social challenges. Despite the implications that these difficulties have for a child's educational success, little is known of how children with epilepsy experience school. Understanding how to best support and accommodate these children can contribute to their positive adaptation and quality of life. The purpose of this phenomenological study by Jillian Roberts and Cheryl Whiting of the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is to understand the school experiences of children with epilepsy. Data was gathered through open‐ended, semi‐structured interviews. The caregivers' narratives were transcribed and analysed to elicit the essential experiences of school children with epilepsy. Five categories were elicited from the families' narratives: (1) health‐related issues, (2) family coping, (3) academic experience, (4) social belonging, and (5) awareness. This information will be particularly useful for teachers and allied professionals serving the needs of children with epilepsy – as well as those with other chronic health conditions.     

创设适宜幼儿独立性发展的幼儿园环境

幼儿独立性是幼儿自我发展的内在动力,是个性品质的基础和关键。3-6岁是幼儿自主性、独立性迅速发展的时期,而幼儿园是培养幼儿独立性的重要场所。幼儿独立性对幼儿未来的发展有着重要的影响。幼儿园的环境分为精神环境和物质环境两种,因此要从这两个环境中培养和促进幼儿独立性的发展。     

Exploring the work and learning stories of para‐teachers in a college for further education in England

This paper reports findings from a research project which developed and introduced the Enhanced Learning Support Assistant Programme (ELSAP). This was a source of professional development for learning support assistants who were supporting students with additional learning needs in a college for further education in England. The purpose of this paper is to share findings from the project and to report on how learning support assistants experienced their work in inclusive college classrooms. The research project was a mixed methods study with participants drawn from learning support assistants within one college for further education in England. Data was collected throughout the 14‐week intervention. Findings indicate that issues exist around the uniqueness of the vocational curriculum and the implications this has for classroom support. It also shows how conflicting classroom procedures can generate feelings of confusion and how learning support workers often feel lonely in their role with no natural opportunity to mix with others. Furthermore, it indicates how a general lack of knowledge about teaching and learning contribute to them experiencing difficulty when performing their role which feed their views that a college for further education can be a complex and hostile environment to work in.     

Change management and the SENCo role: developing key performance indicators in the strategic development of inclusivity

This article follows an earlier publication highlighting the changing role of special educational needs co‐ordinators (SENCos) in England. SENCos are now required to manage change strategically and deliver inclusive school cultures. School‐based action research undertaken by a teacher studying for the postgraduate National Award for SEN Co‐ordination (NASENCO) is featured in the article; a strategic review of resource allocation increased the availability and quality of interventions for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The commentary which frames the study acknowledges that many SENCos are not yet members of a senior school management team (SMT) despite their mandated strategic whole‐school remit. Featuring the process through which one SENCo has strived to enhance SEND provision and develop context‐specific key performance indicators brings official guidance on the SENCo's role in strategic change management into sharp focus, raising questions that should concern both SMTs and non‐SMT SENCos.     

幼儿园游戏活动形式特征及结构探析

幼儿园游戏活动形式各异,既相对独立又相互联系,体现出自由游戏自由度高、区域游戏选择性大、主题游戏综合性强;活动结构具有由低到高发展、活动层次具有逐级递进、活动内容具有交叉互补的鲜明特征;在此基础上,有目的、有意识地整合各种游戏活动,形成游戏形式自然地贯穿于幼儿一日活动的基本结构,实现游戏促进幼儿发展的整体功效。     

为了智慧的生长——幼儿园课程的特质与旨归

幼儿园课程的特质与旨归是为儿童的智慧生长提供机会,让儿童学会用智慧统领知识.要提升幼儿园课程的实施智慧,就要对儿童进行再发现和再认识.儿童是幼儿园课程的永恒主语.幼儿园课程应该关注幼儿园中的儿童、教师心里的"儿童"和课程内容中隐藏的"儿童",让这三个"儿童"在幼儿园课程中相遇、交谈,共同建构幼儿园课程的实施情境,并在情境中实现共同发展.     

幼儿园乡土课程文化:内涵、形成、发展——基于A园的田野研究

研究在明确乡土文化和幼儿园乡土课程文化及其关系的基础上,借助A园田野日志的梳理而建构了A园园所志,深入挖掘了A园乡土课程文化建构的三个层次及其必备能力,以日常生活、社会和文化互动理论阐述了这一过程,进而探讨了推动乡土课程文化持续发展的社会、幼儿园及家庭等各因素,其中园所因素内涵着园所课程传统、园长及其管理团队、教师的文化自信三个子因素;社会组织、家庭和幼儿园之间结成的"共同体"是幼儿园乡土课程文化发展之本,园长和教师是共同体的核心,由此而形成"一核多元"的共同体结构。     

美国融合教育的政策特点与实施效果

美国是融合教育发展较为完善的国家之一,制定和遵循政策是其高标准开展融合教育的一贯原则。1975年以来,美国系列联邦教育法律始终贯彻融合教育理念,其法案中关于融合教育政策演变目标从人本补偿走向全人发展,参与主体实现了权力博弈与责任分担并进,治理结构从扁平形式走向扁平实质,运行机制从制度“面”发展到制度“体”。数年来,在政策推动下,美国提高了融合程度和教育质量、构筑了多元主体支持保障体系、推动了教师资格认证和教育惩戒制度的有效运行。