Integrated learning - what is it? Every child has the right to be supported by their parents and society in order to grow, learn and develop from an early age. And when they reach school age, children should go to school and be perceived normally by both teachers and peers. When children, regardless of their differences, are educated together, everyone benefits - this is the cornerstone of inclusive education.
Integrated learning - what is it?
The essence of such learning is that students of different levels of development of mental and physical abilities study side by side in the same class. They enjoy attending field and after school activities, participating in student government together, going to the same sports meetings, playing games.
Integrated learning is a process that values the diversity and unique contributions of each student in the classroom. In a truly inclusive environment, every child feelssecurity and has a sense of belonging to a group. Students and their parents are involved in setting educational goals and making decisions, and school staff are adequately qualified, supported, flexible and resourced to educate, encourage and meet the needs of all students.
Why is this so important?
Integrated learning provides a better education for children and helps change discriminatory attitudes. The school introduces the child to the world outside their families, helps to develop social relationships and interactions. Respect and understanding increase when students with different abilities and backgrounds play, interact and learn together.
Integrated education for children does not exclude or separate members of the collective, does not promote discrimination against traditionally marginalized groups. After all, individual special education does not guarantee success for children who need special attention. Schools that provide support and support for integrated learning experience much better results.
Basic elements of integrated learning
- Engaging assistants, teachers or professionals who will help teachers meet all the needs and needs of students, working with the entire group.
- A customized curriculum for children with special educational needs.
- Participationparents. Most schools aim for some level of parent participation, but this is often limited to quarterly meetings.
For everyone and everyone
Integrated learning is the acceptance of all children in society, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social or language development. The group often includes children from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as members of all races and cultures. Gifted students and children with disabilities coexist perfectly in the classroom.
Integration, of course, will not happen instantly, it requires careful planning, a positive attitude, a certain model of behavior, the use of the necessary specialized support, in a word, everything is needed to make children feel part of the school, actively participate in the education system, and then became full members of society.
The main responsibility of schools is to embrace the diverse and special needs of all students, to identify and minimize barriers to learning and communication, and to create a tolerant and respectful environment in which each person is perceived as a valued individual. Thus, all children must be given the support they need to succeed in the future and find themselves in the modern world and society.
The benefits of integrated learning
- Developing the individual abilities of each child.
- Involving parents incultural, educational and educational activities of the school.
- Building a school culture of respect and inclusion. Integrated learning provides an opportunity to recognize and accept individual differences, which will eliminate the risk of harassment and bullying in the team.
- Developing friendships with a wide range of other children, understanding their individual needs and abilities.
New functioning system
Integrated learning is optional. First of all, it is worth relying on the opinion of the parents and the desire of the child himself. Roughly speaking, integration is the combination of individual components into one whole.
As far as education is concerned, this process cannot be called a purely mechanical association of he althy children and children with any deviations. This is a complex set of interactions between children, educators, correction specialists. This is not something local, because we need a holistic, systematic approach to organizing school activities in all areas.
Innovative technologies
Modernization of the education system includes the active use of innovative ideas and solutions. The technology of integrated learning is aimed at developing cognitive and creative abilities. In practice, a holistic and deep understanding of the reality of the surrounding world is achieved. Education should be a harmonious combination of rules and creativity, science and art. Innovative technologies(explanatory-illustrated, student-centered and developmental learning) play an important role here.
The following forms of integrated learning are distinguished:
- Combined form, in which a child with special needs is able to study in the classroom along with absolutely he althy children, receiving the necessary regular support and help from specialists (teacher-defectologist, speech therapist, psychologist).
- Partial integration, in which students with disabilities are not able to master the educational program on an equal basis with their peers. Such children spend only part of the time in general classes, the rest of the time in special classes or in individual lessons.
- Temporary, in which children from special classes and students in regular classes gather at least twice a month for joint walks, celebrations, competitions and other educational activities.
- Full, in which one or two children with developmental disabilities study in a regular group. This form is more suitable for children of preschool and primary school age. Basically, these are children who, in terms of the level of psychophysical and speech development, correspond to the age norm and are psychologically ready for joint learning with he althy peers. They receive correctional assistance at the place of study, or parents do it under the supervision of professionals.
Integrated education and upbringing is quite common practice in foreign countries. We haveinclusive classrooms and schools are just beginning to emerge.
