Improving Learning Skills And Inclusion

How can opportunities for teaching and learning be improved to ensure that many more people participate, gain qualifications and obtain decent jobs? Will government policies enable us to achieve these goals? What new ideas do we need to ensure a more inclusive, equitable and efficient learning system? These are some of the main concerns which underlie this thought-provoking book coming from a major research project looking at how policies affect learners, tutors, managers and institutional leaders in Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning centres and in Work Based Learning sites. Post compulsory education in the UK has been constantly restructured by the New Labour government and has been subject to considerable policy turbulence over the last few years. This book attempts to understand this important but poorly understood sector by both talking to students and front-line staff and by interviewing the officials responsible for managing post-compulsory education and lifelong learning. By examining the sector simultaneously from the ‘bottom up’ and from ‘top down’, the authors show how recent policy is affecting three disadvantaged groups - 16-19 year olds who have fared poorly in official tests at school; unemployed adults learning basic skills; and employees at work learning basic skills. The authors conclude that there are serious failings and suggest principles and features of a more equitable and effective learning system.

This thought provoking book from a major research project looks at the roles of learners, tutors, managers and institutional leaders in Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning Centres and in Work based Learning sites.

This open access international scientific study provides an analysis of how the educational strategy of Universal Design for Learning can stimulate the process of inclusive education in different educational-cultural contexts and different areas of the educational system. The findings of the research deepen the conception of inclusive education and present an analysis of factors that are significant for developing the educational system as well as providing evidence-based recommendations for educational practice. The research for this work was done in four European countries with various historical-cultural contexts: Lithuania and Poland underwent a transformation of the educational systems at the turning point in their political system, shifting from a strictly centralized Soviet policy to a liberal and democratic education system; Austria has experienced changes in social stratification and a need for cultural harmonisation arising from active national migration processes, whereas Finland has been gradually developing a socio-democratic model of national welfare. The analysis of the educational processes in the four countries has been performed using a qualitative action research method. The researchers, in cooperation with the teachers from the selected schools in their country, have implemented the strategy of Universal Design for Learning and assessed its transformation indicators in terms of the quality of inclusive education components.

While many books explore the possibilities for developing inclusive practices in schools, and ‘inclusion’ is widely regarded as a desirable goal, much of the literature on the subject has been narrowly concerned with the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. This book however, takes the view that marginalisation, exclusion and underachievement take many forms and affect many different kinds of child. As such, a definition of inclusion should also touch upon issues of equity, participation, community, entitlement, compassion, respect for diversity and sustainability. Here the highly regarded authors focus on: barriers to participation and learning experienced by pupils the practices that can overcome these barriers the extent to which such practices facilitate improved learning outcomes how such practices can be encouraged and sustained within schools and LEAs. The book is part of the Improving Learning series, published in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Research Project.

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"This book is the second in a series entitled ‘Learning and Development for a Better World’ and it explores the potential for self-directed lifelong action learning (LAL) by focusing on the design of development pathways with and for young adults. The book considers the reasons why LAL pathways are needed and draws on innovative approaches used by the Global University for Lifelong Learning (including micro enterprise, peace-building, music, sport and the creative arts) with examples from nine countries. The aim is to offer a timely response to the pressing global problem of access to learning and development for marginalized young people during the vulnerable period from their mid-teens to mid-twenties. This book is an engaging and compelling text. I enjoyed the flow of ideas and the key messages of need and solution that it provides. The authors are articulate and convincing in their crafted messages – as well as passionate. Reading this book is time well spent and both enjoyable and instructional.Brendan Bartlett, Professor of Education, Institute of Learning Sciences Australia, Australian Catholic University This book will help both policy makers and those working with young people to change lives. In many areas of the world, young people, particularly women, lead impoverished lives. Developing approaches to lifelong action learning with these young adults will provide hope for the future. Emer Clarke, Formerly Area Director of the UK Learning and Skills Council The plight of millions of young people is clearly worsening as social and economic divisions increase and deepen. This book will serve those well who want to agitate for change and reform based on a belief in social justice and equality of access to learning and economic fairness for all young people.David Davies, Professor Emeritus and Former Executive Dean, University of Derby, UK This book is a valuable resource, an indispensable text and a must read for all working with young people. What captured my attention most was the way in which it illustrates how access to purposeful learning and development can be provided to marginalized young people. Eldrie Gouws, Professor, Department of Psychology of Education, University of South Africa This is a significant and far reaching response to the global problem of young adults’ unemployment and lack of educational opportunities, especially in disadvantaged, remote and poverty-stricken communities in developing as well as developed countries. It is of interest to a wide audience of readers, including youth, parents, educators, non-profit organizations, governments and churches.Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt, Co-author, ‘Lifelong Action Learning for Community Development: Learning and Development for a Better World’, Sense Publishers, 2013"div v>

Inclusive education retains significant complexity associated with creating a definition, and there is significant importance within the surrounding narratives reflecting the broader definitions. Due to the flexibility within the definition, investigating current practices across an array of definitions becomes essential to developing best practices in special education. Inclusive Theory and Practice in Special Education is an essential research book that examines current shifts in the field within the overarching philosophy of inclusion and inclusive education. It reports recent research that focuses on the experiences of teachers and students in classrooms and ways of enhancing the practices of inservice teachers and early career teachers, as well as the preparation of preservice teachers. Besides presenting research from these perspectives, it also addresses a selection of broader issues that impact on policy and curriculum, thus identifying related concerns, including those of the wider community. Highlighting a wide range of topics such as learning disabilities, student mobility, and early childhood education, this publication is ideal for researchers, professionals, administrators, curriculum designers, academicians, policymakers, and students.

The tools you need to build meaningful inclusive practices into your education program Featuring materials relevant to all stages of implementation, The Inclusion Toolbox is an all-in-one resource that combines research-based strategies and practical tools to help you design and implement a truly inclusive education program. You’ll discover: Step-by-step plans for implementing new programs Guidance on how to strengthen existing inclusive programs Strategies to empower and involve families, students with disabilities, and their peers Tools to assess student interests and develop adaptation plans With user-friendly online resources and practical strategies, this comprehensive guide will help you make inclusion a reality!