To reflect on our understanding of inclusive education

Aim
To reflect on our understanding of inclusive education and on our provision for some or all of the students in a group.

Reflection

Think about a group of students that you are currently teaching and make notes in response to the following questions. 

What kinds of opportunities and experiences matter to the students? (What do they want to be included in, or excluded from?)

• How is inclusion assessed and recorded for the group? (For what purposes? Who are its audience?)
• What is the relationship between the inclusion and exclusion of students?
• What is the relationship between the inclusion of students and different kinds of special or additional support needs?
• Is the inclusion of some students in this group more (or less) highly valued than others? (If so, who? Why? By whom?)
• How far is the inclusion of students in the group influenced by factors that are:

- within individual students?
- related to their peers?
- relate to you as their teacher and the wider department?
- related to the university as an institution?

Reflecting on your responses what might you do next? Do you need to find out more, perhaps by talking to the students, learning support staff or colleagues?