Fostering Inclusion In Education

This volume will provide educators with an understanding of challenges associated with equity and inclusion at higher education institutions globally and with evidence-based strategies for addressing the challenges associated with implementing equity and inclusion.

This edited volume brings together researchers and educators who present a balanced blend of theoretical and practice-based considerations about different pedagogies in the field of Progressive Education (including Philosophy with Children, Reggio Children, Philosophy with Children Hawaii, Dialogic Education etc.). To change future education for good, inclusive pedagogical theories and practices must prove themselves to be efficacious in the unpredictable, multifaceted dynamics of real classrooms. By focusing on ideological and structural dynamics that can undermine or promote inclusion or providing future directions that can foster emancipatory, democratic, socially-just and evidence-based forms of teaching and professional practice, the chapters in this book explore current and emerging practices, experiences, and problems to equip both researchers and teachers with a wide range of possibilities and tools to face the challenges of future education. Enrico Postiglione holds a PhD from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Since 2016 he builds and runs Philosophy for Children communities of inquiry with both children and adults in complex educational contexts and analyses their effectiveness. His research focuses primarily on social/ linguistic/educational inclusion and the interactions between philosophy of mind and the nature of educational processes.

The Role of Assistive Technology in Fostering Inclusive Education uses evidence-based research to explore issues related to implementation of ICT-based Assistive Technology (ICT-AT) in education. It focuses on programmes and activities that aim at the empowerment of the learners with disabilities, as well as the empowerment of the entire educational ecosystem. The book provides a synthesis of political and theoretical discussions as well as practical experiences on the implementation of ICT-AT in education. Analysing international policy frameworks in relation to inclusive education and technology, it discusses examples of school self-assessment and action plan methodologies for digital inclusive education, as well as case studies of innovative ICT and AT solutions in educational environments. The authors elaborate on digital empowerment as a wider societal challenge through reflection on the barriers that people with disabilities meet in education and beyond. This book will be of great interest for academics, researchers, and postgraduate students in the fields of inclusive education and assistive technology, as well as those interested in education research and policy development.

Isabelle and Charlie are friends. They both like to draw, dance, read, and play at the park. They both like to eat Cheerios. They both cry if their feelings are hurt. And like most friends, they are also different from each other. Isabelle has Down syndrome. Charlie doesn't. Written by Isabelle's mother, this charming tale encourages readers to think about what makes a friendship special. My Friend Isabelle also opens the door for young children to ask about differences and the world around them. It's a wonderful story to read at bedtime or to share at school. Lively full colour illustrations dovetail beautifully with the text to bring the simple story to life.

′This book is about putting the theory of effective management and leadership into practice in the constantly changing context of meeting the complex needs of children and young people...It is an excellent resource for those who work in, or who aspire to work in, children′s services, education or multidisciplinary settings, at managerial or leadership level′ - British Journal of Special Education This book is a guide to special and inclusive education and provides a comprehensive overview of this complex field. The author examines context, policy and practice, and shows how to successfully navigate the managerial challenges involved, while contributing to the way forward through leadership in a diverse field. The author considers the present inclusion imperative with its implications for strategic leadership, planning and provision. He presents an inclusive style of leadership for an integrative management of individual differences in education, as well as a critical review of managing inclusive learning and teaching in school contexts. Written for aspiring and practising school leaders, this book is essential for those with responsibility for inclusion, school leaders in special schools, SENCOs, SEN advisors, and students on SEN management CPD or NPQH courses.

This edited volume brings together researchers and educators who present a balanced blend of theoretical and practice-based considerations about different pedagogies in the field of Progressive Education (including Philosophy with Children, Reggio Children, Philosophy with Children Hawaii, Dialogic Education etc.). To change future education for good, inclusive pedagogical theories and practices must prove themselves to be efficacious in the unpredictable, multifaceted dynamics of real classrooms. By focusing on ideological and structural dynamics that can undermine or promote inclusion or providing future directions that can foster emancipatory, democratic, socially-just and evidence-based forms of teaching and professional practice, the chapters in this book explore current and emerging practices, experiences, and problems to equip both researchers and teachers with a wide range of possibilities and tools to face the challenges of future education.

Perspectives and identity are typically reinforced at a young age, giving teachers the responsibility of selecting reading material that could potentially change how the child sees the world. This is the importance of sharing diverse literature with today’s children and young adults, which introduces them to texts that deal with religion, gender identities, racial identities, socioeconomic conditions, etc. Teachers and librarians play significant roles in placing diverse books in the hands of young readers. However, to achieve the goal of increasing young people’s access to diverse books, educators and librarians must receive quality instruction on this topic within their university preparation programs. The Handbook of Research on Teaching Diverse Youth Literature to Pre-Service Professionals is a comprehensive reference source that curates promising practices that teachers and librarians are currently applying to prepare aspiring teachers and librarians for sharing and teaching diverse youth literature. Given the importance of sharing diverse books with today’s young people, university educators must be aware of engaging and effective methods for teaching diverse literature to pre-service teachers and librarians. Covering topics such as syllabus development, diversity, social justice, and activity planning, this text is essential for university-level teacher educators, library educators who prepare pre-service teachers and librarians, university educators, faculty, adjunct instructors, researchers, and students.

This volume explores innovative perspectives and practices regarding social inclusion of potentially marginalized individuals from multiple perspectives.