Discussion 2: Virtual Tour

There are so many out there. It will be great to see which you find most useful.
 Have you heard about the 'Inclusion Development Programme ' which is coming into schools this term. The first one which is available on DVD can be used with staff as a self assessment tool into Dyslexia or Speech, language and Communication needs. Very useful as a guide to where further training is needed. Also has lots of useful case studies and links. Others to follow on ASD etc.
Follow the link on the virtual tour.
Ruth

Thanks for the information. I'll be looking at it. I've just attended a special needs exhibition and couple of seminars. I found a great deal of information for resourses and approaches. I am so greatful to have been able to go. I'll need as much info as I can take.
Jessica

Checked this study on "How might schools manage inclusion in ways that are compatible with raising all pupils’ achievements?" from the General teaching council for England. It was inciteful and promising. Committed schools makes a difference. That is what our schools should aspire to. Full commitment, training, resources,etc. I found many resources used for special needs are also useful for all other pupils. Having an open flexible management approach offers a more tolerant student body environment.
Jessica

Hi jessica,
I am taking the Ma inclusive SEN course and dipped into your discussion as SpLD is my interest but I need to widen my understanding for my future as a SENCo. Thank you for your recommendation on the study above. It was very interesting especially as this is a big concern of mine. It was interesting to see that inclusion still included taking children out for intervention, as some of my feed back seems that teachers want support within the class for these children instead. I hope you don't mind if I pass the study on to my discussion group.
Thank you again Marion

A really interesting study and at the heart of the debate. a great recommendation and one to include in your portfolio. Ruth

Hi Jessica,
Thank you for recommending that article. I agree a flexible approach is necessary to support inclusion. It is fascinating (and slightly daunting!) reading through all of the available information. At the moment my views and opinions seemed to be constantly changing!
One thing that seems very clear is the importance of good teacher and staff training. This needs to go back to Initial Teacher Training. I completed my PGCE 5 years ago and looking back it was appalling how little time was spent on inclusion and specific learning difficulties. Reading through a case study on Lesotho in 'Inclusive Education'-Peter Mittler, it was interesting to note that researchers found that the skills being used by teachers in the inclusive schools were 'the teachers' natural skills and the training had empowered them and given them confidence.' Although the article was looking at physical difficulties as well as learning ones I think that it is this kind of empowerment that is crucial if schools here are to be inclusive. What does anyone else think?

sometimes our instincts as teachers can make a difference. As teachers we should make an effort to know our pupils well which in turn helps us assess correctly their need so that we can better educate and empower the pupils. Being in tune with the children and have good training, inservices, and support for teachers and students' induces an affective learning environment.
Jessica

How could I get a copy of the dvd? Is is just available at schools or school organizations?

The information on the web site is the same as on the DVD. Schools will be receiving the DVD as well as secialist teams etc. Ruth

Have had a look at this DVD and found it useful as a starting point. We also got a letter through to school about a day course for SMT/SENCOs on the National Strategies - Inclusion Development Programme - developing your plan. Not sure if this is just hapening in Lincolnshire but its worth looking out for. The pre-course information looks promising although the course isn't until January.

Hi ALl

I found the Virtual Tour really useful it's good to know there is so much info out there (sometimes you forget!) I found Teachernet particularly useful as it provided me with lots of guidance on the government documentation. I've also found myself thinking a lot about 'Every Child Matters' because i feel this has a big impact on the encouragement of inclusive education. I'm now conducting my own searches of the net to add to my research but am finding it hard as like i said previously there is so much out there and not all of it useful!

Hi all,
I'm sure most people have checked out the Teacher's TV site but if not its definitely worth a visit. The films are easy to download and watch on Windows media. I'm making my way through the ones that I've downloaded and it has helped link some of my reading. (It also makes a good but useful break from the reading!)I found the one that featured Wadhurst Primary School particularly interesting.

I know, and WOW!! I so enjoyed to films. They were incredibly eye-opening. You had to pry me off of that screen.

Yes Teachers TV is so good. See http://www.teachers.tv/

Is it available overseas?

Of course for the MA you might need to be critical and analytical of the ideas and models.

hello everyone,
teachers TV is a gr8 website and has alot of valueble information.. unfortunalty we dont have this channel in Pakistan butt the website has been a gr8 help and surely is a good break from all reading. i am having a very tough time trying to look for policies in pakistan and unfortuanly my search has come to nil, pakistan has no policies for SEN or inclusion which is very disappointing :(

The Making of the Inclsve School
G.Thomas, D. Walker and J.Webb 1998

I know this it not a website but I found the following book really interesting. It really got me thinking about what we do in school and gave me some ideas about what to be looking for/aiming for in terms of good practice.

It talks about the process of moving towards becoming an inclusive school and differentiates between inclusion and integration - a very important point to consider I felt as I started to question what I had understood by the term inclusion.

The first part of the book looks at our understanding of the terms integration, inclusion and indeed special needs. It suggest elements that may be found in an inclusive school and encourages you to think about how you work as a team within your school.

The second half of the book is a detailed analysis of a research project that took place in Somerset when a special school decided to close and return all the children to mainstream schools. Although the circumstances are very different between that and my school, it brought up issues that are relevant to many different settings.

I had untill reading this book felt a bit overwhelmed and was unsure of what I should be looking for.

Thank you for the reccomendation. I think it will help me greatly for now since I still am not at a school setting. I feel a bit overwhelmed too. Jess

Hello All,

I’ve just been researching on www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk website. What a wealth of information and discussion, I had to drag myself away.

The pros and cons of inclusion … the research carried out by Florian and Rouse, from my initial investigation, appears to suggest that SEN children/students have achieved results they possibly never would have achieve had they remained in special schools. One explanation is that the well qualified teachers in the mainstream school, along with TAs, expected high standards from all children - quote .. ‘teachers not to distinguish between ‘special’ and other children. Wouldn’t that be the ideal, does it really happen in practice?

It is not disputed that children of lesser abilities benefit from inclusive education because they are exposed to all levels of the curriculum. It is true that children of higher abilities have a good impact on those of lesser abilities. SEN/SpLD students’ self-esteem can be raised if they are (and should) be treated as their mainstream peers. This is surely reflective of a school with appropriately qualified teachers and supporting staff. Some schools don’t have the luxury of TAs i.e. mine!

What the research doesn’t appear to discuss, and please tell me again if I have overlooked certain points, is - what were the implications for the higher achieving students?

i have been reading the book THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN INCLUSIVE PRIMARY CLASSROOMS by Richard Rose and Marie Howley. it has been a great help for me as i had only a basic information about inclusion, it has helped to clarify my concepts.
the book has very simple and basic guidelines of inclusion in the primary setup with gr8 definitions and explanations on every step. it helps to clarify isssues by giving case studies about every topic.
the best part about this book is that after every topic it has few questions that need to be answered to know how much you have understood the specific topic and then you can move on to the next chapter.
it gives advise on the specific teaching strategies and teaching approaches. it helps to build a reflective way of teaching

I might add this book to the book list. It is a very helpful with clear information.Thanks for recommendation.
I also highly recommend the SENCo Handbook by Elizabeth Cowne, newly up dated with essential info.
Ruth

I have read the book by J Clements and E Zarkowska "Behavioral Concerns and Autistic Spectrum Disorders Explanation and Strategies for Changes" published 2000. I reached for that book from the sentimental reasons:
firstly an author E Zarkowska is of Polish origin
secondly I attended a couple of lectures by J Clements and wanted to check if he can write as well as he can talk...
By the way both of them are long-time experienced researchers Mr Clements more then 30 years in the field of clinical research on how to cope with challenging behaviour.
For those who are not able to manage "kids behaving badly" a worth reading guide how to do so. It is of course first of all a book for those who teach autistic pupils as such but I think it can be interesting read for any teacher in inclusive classroom. Authors agree that all behavioral problems are consequence of teacher not knowing students and not recognizing the simple rule of cause and effect. Good guide how professionally and effectively cope with bad conduct.

I have the feeling I am quite behind with my work but I have been reading/briefly writing up information on the History of SEN. Our SENCO downloaded and forwarded to me a copy of the House of Commons Education and Skills Committee, Special Educational Needs Report 2005-6. This document has helped me to understand how things were in the past and how they have changed.

In preparation for the discussion with my work place advocate I decided to head off to the book shop where I found a good book entitled, Managing Special Educational Needs by Susanne Gibson +Sonia Blandford. It's filled with information and what's more important I've learnt about Cheminas framework for best practise with regards to inclusive teaching and learning.