Preparing Teachers For Inclusive Classrooms: Introducing The Individual Direct Experience Approach
Preparing Teachers For Inclusive Classrooms: Introducing The Individual Direct Experience Approach
Preparing Teachers For Inclusive Classrooms: Introducing The Individual Direct Experience Approach
ABSTRACT
Inclusion is a contemporary educational movement impacting the role of the classroom
teacher. As a result, teacher education programs have made attempts to incorporate
inclusive education as part of their curricula. An analysis of the literature reveals that
inclusion training has favorable effects on the attitudes of preservice teachers, but
has little effect on their perceptions of preparedness to teach in inclusive classrooms.
A common complaint is that the focus is heavily weighted on theory, as opposed to
practical experience. To address such concerns, the authors recommend the Individual
Direct Experience Approach (IDEA) as an innovative approach to preparing teachers for
inclusive classrooms.
Introduction
W
ith social justice at the international forefront of educational agendas,
the inclusion of students with exceptionalities in the general education
classroom has propelled a worldwide political and philosophical movement.
In an inclusive model, students with exceptional needs are educated alongside their
peers in the general classroom as the first placement option to be considered. The
inclusion movement is an impetus for change, not only in educational policies, but
also in the role and expectations of the classroom teacher. Inclusion has a tremendous
impact on general classroom teachers as they are increasingly faced with the challenge
of meeting a wide range of student needs through inclusive practices. More than ever
Perceptions of Preparedness
While positive attitudes may be able to transcend philosophical barriers to inclusion,
they may not always translate into feeling prepared for the reality of inclusive teaching.
For example, a review conducted by Avramidis and Norwich (2002) concluded that
although most teachers held positive attitudes toward inclusion, teachers did not feel
prepared for teaching students with exceptional needs, especially in the case of students
with severe learning difficulties and behavioral/emotional disorders. A qualitative study
conducted by Fayez, Dababneh, and Jumiaan (2011) reported that preservice teachers
held strong and positive attitudes about the philosophy of inclusion as an entitlement
of children with special needs. However, when asked about their preparedness to
implement inclusion, the participants felt their mandatory inclusion course, while
adding to their knowledge base, only provided a very narrow understanding of practical
skills. Another qualitative study found that a single-unit course on inclusion positively
changed preservice teachers’ perceptions about inclusion; however, participants
overwhelmingly indicated that they still required additional knowledge and skills in
order to “operationalize their changed perceptions and beliefs” (McCray & McHatton,
2011, p. 149). Hodkinson’s (2006) study found similar findings and concluded that first-
year teachers felt their preservice training provided them with a good understanding
of the theory of inclusive education, however their understanding of the practical
delivery was limited. Moore-Hayes’ (2008) study reported that preservice teachers cited
the need for more preparation and experience in order to feel prepared for working
with students with exceptional needs. Additionally, in a study conducted by Forlin and
Chambers (2011), the researchers discovered that a unit of study in inclusive education
increased preservice teachers’ knowledge and their confidence as teachers. In contrast,
it also increased their levels of stress in teaching students with disabilities.
From this investigation it can be substantiated that there are obvious gaps in teacher
preparation programs. Teacher educators should view these gaps as a major roadblock
to advancing the actualization of inclusion at the very basic level: the general education
classroom. To ensure a better match between teacher preparation and the realities of
inclusive classrooms, changes to the current approaches are necessary and critical.
Based on our review of literature and experience as teacher educators, we conclude that
adding authentic practical experiences to the existing courses in inclusion will benefit
preservice teachers. Practical supervised experiences will add a sense of preparedness
to their positive attitudes toward teaching in inclusive classrooms.
knowledge the teacher holds and the lived experience of the novice learner. This gulf
is described as being so wide that “the very situation forbids much active participation
by pupils in the development of what is taught” (Dewey, 1938, p. 19). Oddly enough,
over 70 years later, this concept parallels the current concern in teacher education
for inclusion.
This concept can be useful for designing programs for teacher education. We
recommend that in preparing teachers for inclusive classrooms, teacher education
programs should incorporate opportunities for direct experiences with students who
have exceptional needs during field experiences. A recent study gathered opinions
from 124 faculty members across the United States, where the majority considered
field experiences to be a leading example in teacher training for inclusion (Harvey,
Yssel, Bauserman, & Merbler, 2010). Not only is this the opinion of faculty members,
but research also demonstrated that when teachers were asked about their most
preferred methods of preparation for teaching diverse learners, they suggested that
direct teaching experiences with students with special needs was favored (Avramidis &
Norwich, 2002; Jobling & Moni, 2004). One study of early childhood preservice teachers
found that inclusive settings for field experiences could link inclusive coursework
and fieldwork (Voss & Bufkin, 2011). Moreover, Rose and Garner (2010) stressed the
importance of practical, school-based experiences as an addition to the theoretical
base of university inclusion courses. In fact, one of the leading researchers in this
area argued that field experience opportunities and direct contact with students
with special needs may be the “only meaningful solution” (Loreman, 2010) to improve
inclusion training.
However, some caution and careful consideration should be put forth given that field
experiences do not always offer the optimum environment for practicing inclusive skills.
For example, Jobling and Moni’s (2004) study revealed that some participants felt they
had limited contact with the special-needs students during their practicum because
they “always had an aide with them” (p. 13). Also, Atay (2007) postulated that not every
practicum setting is a model of good practice and that factors and experiences vary
greatly. Yet another study suggested that placement schools should have a sufficient
number of students with exceptional needs in their schools, as criterion for selection,
in order to ensure more interactions and hands-on experience for preservice teachers
(Lombardi & Hunka, 2001). However, it was also recognized that it is often the case that
the number of schools offering field experience placements is insufficient, leaving
universities with little choice. Our own experiences as teacher educators confirm that
when field experiences do not include specific guidelines for working with students
with exceptional needs, preservice teachers often have limited exposure to—and
practice with—these students.
IDEA are presented below, and an illustrative example will demonstrate the application
of IDEA to a field experience.
Expectations of IDEA
IDEA requires preservice teachers to choose one student with exceptional needs
from their classroom placement as a “living case study” during their field experience.
The criteria for selecting students are that they have unique educational needs and
require differentiated instruction or other forms of adaptations or modifications. It is
certain that in every classroom at least one student can be identified, in consultation
with the mentor teacher, as an appropriate living case for IDEA. After the living case
is established, the preservice teacher is expected to fully and deeply understand the
individual education plan (IEP) and/or the learning profile of this student, including
prior educational experiences and assessment. Preservice teachers are also required
to research the student’s exceptionality and communicate with the student’s teacher,
teacher assistant, parents, and other members of the school support team in order to
have a global understanding of the student. Following this background research, the
key expectation is for the preservice teacher to engage in individual, direct experiences
with the student for the duration of his or her field experience. A recommended
frequency of the interactions would be two to three times per week for 15- to 30-minute
sessions. Examples of interactions include guided literacy, individual conferencing, and
direct instruction. Preservice teachers will keep a descriptive log and journal describing
the direct experience interactions. Journal entries should include reflections about
what works, what does not, and how the student learns best. There should also be
opportunities for collaboration with the mentor teacher, university facilitator, and
with other colleagues and preservice teachers. With IDEA, preservice teachers will
be expected to plan and teach whole-class lessons up to a maximum of 80% of the
instructional day in order to provide time for the individual interactions.
IDEA in Action
Kim (all names are pseudonyms) is about to begin her nine-week final field experience
in a grade three classroom. Many emotions run high, including her excitement to meet
her students and her mentor teacher, Mr. Smith. Kim is also very nervous. She does not
have a lot of experience working with children, and she has no prior experience with
students with exceptional needs. She has talked with many of her classmates and their
concerns are similar: Will I be able to manage and meet the needs of a diverse range
of abilities and exceptionalities? I really want to include all students in my classroom
activities, but can I really do it?
As part of Kim’s field experience, she is expected to choose a “living case study” in
order to work directly with a student with exceptional needs. In her first week, with
the help of Mr. Smith and the permission of the student’s parents, Kim chooses Dillon.
Dillon is an eight-year-old autistic boy and requires a full-time teacher’s assistant, Mary.
Mr. Smith feels that if Kim can understand Dillon’s learning needs and behaviors, she
will have a much easier time including him in her lessons. Mary is thrilled with this new
approach. She shared with Kim that last year Dillon was often excluded from whole-
class lessons because the mentor teacher felt he was “too much work” for the student
teacher—and that Mary could easily “look after” him during lessons.
During the first week of her field experience, Kim reads Dillon’s comprehensive
IEP, researches autism, talks to Mary and Mr. Smith, and meets Dillon’s parents. After
meeting his parents and hearing their story, Kim clearly understands the importance of
meaningfully including Dillon in the classroom with his peers. She learns that Dillon’s
parents’ main goals for him are to learn appropriate social skills, make friends, and learn
to communicate with his iPad. She also observes Mary working with Dillon and begins
to understand how to communicate with him and how to anticipate situations that
cause frustration. She also learns that Dillon has a great number of strengths; he has a
sense of humor, loves cars and trucks, and has a strong visual memory.
During this first week, Kim also observes her mentor teacher teaching the whole
class and begins to plan for the classes that she will be taking over. The expectation
is that she will take over approximately 80% of the classroom teaching by the halfway
point in her field experience. While Mr. Smith is teaching the other 20% of instructional
time, Kim has opportunities for her direct interactions with Dillon.
Over the remainder of her field experience, Kim spends approximately two 30-minute
sessions with Dillon each week. The interactions take place within the classroom where
Kim works directly with Dillon on a specific skill or with his communication program
on his iPad. At one cohort meeting with her university facilitator, Kim expresses how
valuable she feels the direct experience has been. “I am so comfortable interacting
with Dillon. I’ve learned how to communicate with him on his iPad, and I can see that
routine and structure are very important.” Kim continues to share what she has learned
about Dillon’s communication skills, social skills, and his sensory therapy. “I feel that I
can effectively plan modifications to my lessons in order to meaningfully include Dillon
in the activities.”
Near the end of her field experience, Kim is observed by her university facilitator
while teaching a science lesson on rocks and minerals. The lesson includes interactive
learning centers where the students were asked to classify rocks. Dillon is included
with a small group of students. This group is given a cue card that Kim has prepared
with “yes”/“no” questions that Dillon can answer on his iPad. At one point during the
lesson, Kim intuitively moves Dillon to another group in order to remain longer at a
particular center that she knows he is enjoying. Kim later explained that she knew the
quick changing of centers would likely frustrate him as she has a very good grasp of
what triggers some of his behaviors.
On Kim’s final day, she discusses with Mr. Smith the benefits of the living case
study expectation of her field experience. She expresses how the individual, direct
experience eased her anxiety about working with students with exceptional needs.
She also feels that she could translate what she has learned about inclusive teaching
practices to other students with exceptional needs within her own future classroom.
Mr. Smith agrees that the systematic approach was an effective way to connect the
theory of inclusive practice to the realities of the classroom.
Conclusion
There is a consensus that best practice for preparing teachers for inclusion is a
pressing issue for teacher educators. Field experience is an essential ingredient for
teacher preparation, including the preparation of teachers for the inclusive classroom.
While experience with students with exceptional needs has been accepted as
benefitting preservice teachers, it is not always intentionally incorporated into field
experiences. IDEA is an approach to systematically introduce preservice teachers to
teaching in the inclusive classroom. Not only does IDEA provide preservice teachers
with the opportunity for interacting with students with exceptional needs, but it also
requires that knowledge gleaned from these interactions will be implemented in whole-
class instruction. As such, IDEA represents a closer approximation of the demands of the
inclusion classroom than isolated direct experiences. In addition to providing guidance
as to how inclusion is practiced, anxiety about working with students with exceptional
needs may be lessened.
Future research in this area could address some of the potential limitations or
unanswered questions related to IDEA. For instance, it would be valuable to research
how the impact of IDEA applies to other inclusive settings, as student demographics
vary greatly from classroom to classroom. Also, to provide validation to the approach,
longitudinal studies could determine if the impact of IDEA is sustainable as preservice
teachers enter the profession and progress through their careers. Qualitative studies
could provide insight into the experience of IDEA and the nature of the impact on
preservice teachers’ preparation for inclusive teaching. Given the existing research in
this area, IDEA is a promising starting point for structuring intentional direct experiences
into inclusion training for future teachers.
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