In Porter's view, what is inclusive education? Do you agree or disagree with his definition? Is it the same one that you would use? Explain.
How has your training as an educational assistant influenced your understanding of the controversy that surrounds the implementation of inclusive practices in education? How would you describe the two sides of the issue?
Porter identifies seven critical steps needed to implement inclusive, effective and community schools across Canada. In your opinion, where does the role of the educational assistant fit into this picture? Explain.
Follow this link to easily access the article:
http://www.cea-ace.ca/sites/cea-ace.ca/files/EdCan-2008-v48-n2-Porter.pdf
I think he means:
ReplyDelete- The Subject goes back and forth
- Inclusion is a frequent story (changes are made or subject is added to)
- It sparks fire or is a “touchy” topic (People have different opinions and views)
- Engages the interest of different people
Inclusion means all students are educated in a regular classroom with peers the same age and with supported directed at those who need it to accomplish specific individualized goals. Inclusion is how we create an environment for all students to be successful in regardless of ability (with or without disability).
Yes, I agree with Porter’s view. Yes, Porter’s definition of inclusion sums up my view/ opinion on inclusion. Everyone should be included regardless (with or without disability) and everyone should have the opportunity to learn and be successful in a classroom environment with his or her peers, even if some students need support to be successful.
My training has influenced my understanding on the controversy that come with inclusion in education because you her by the way some people talk. You hear who believes in what and why this should or this shouldn’t be implemented. You hear the negative and the positive opinions of people and professionals in the field. The comments or talk is not always positive about inclusion and people are entitled to their personal opinion. In the end, I believe what I believe and I should not change that after hearing others beliefs.
Con: As stated in the article, some people believe that students with disabilities will not benefit from what is being taught in the regular classroom. People believe this assumption because they most likely do not understand what an inclusive education is and that with some support most students with disabilities or can be learn successfully.
Pro: People believe that all students belong and should be apart of the classroom environment (despite having or not having a disability). All students will succeed, even if that includes some support to do so.
The role of the educational assistant fits into the picture by:
- Have a positive attitude even if you have a different opinion (You are in it for the students)
- Be apart of the transition plan if possible
- Get to know the students you work with (know their abilities and work with their strengths)
- Be apart of the community and know the supports that you have to work with (gain knowledge that could positively help in the school).
- Take the time and be apart of the challenge (changes takes time)
Porter may mean, that the implementation of quality educational services to students with disabilities is a 'flash point issue' because it is the starting point of where quality and equal education to all students begins. This topic also often starts the fire under those involved in education regardless of the side they may take.
ReplyDeletePorter refers to inclusive education as "All students, including those with disabilities and other special needs, are educated in regular classrooms with their age peers in their community schools." I agree with this definition Porter has provided. Porter speaks about each student reaching their individual goals, this is important for all students, including those with and without exceptionalities. I would also use this definition to describe inclusion, it is simple and concise. It shows all students deserve and should receive the same learning opportunities no matter what their labeled status may be.
With my training so far I have only seen "inclusive" classrooms. Through this I have been able to see the benefits to the students as well as the negative effects of it when the teachers are unwilling to support the idea. I think in order for inclusion to be effective the teachers should be properly educated and provided with the support to have an inclusive classroom. I have wittnessed how all the students can benefit socially when all students are in the same inclusive classroom. At the same time I can see frustrated teachers who lack the training and the support to help them make their inclusive classroom successful.
For Porter's inplamentation ideas the E.A. may see some of the following results:
increase in educational assistants positions
teachers working more with educational assistants for support
educational assistants may become more involved in the community services while working with their students
educational assistants may gain more networking opportunities and a better community between educational assistants
testing!
ReplyDeleteGood it works!
ReplyDeleteI think Porter's reference to special education being a "flashpoint issue" means it is such a volatile subject which sparks much controversy, mainly because the public are not aware or educated enough to make the right decisions in this regard.
In Porter's view, inclusive education means literally including all students regardless of their exceptionalities in mainstream classes in their own communities, and having the chance to grow academically and socially to their own individual potential with their own peers.
I completely agree with Porter's definition. It is the same definition I would use as it defines inclusion perfectly, elaborating on the fact that every student regardless of their special needs has the right to reach their own individual potential alongside their peers.
My training as an EA has greatly influenced my understanding of the inclusion controversy. Firstly I am the converted! When I first volunteered in my son's class, I witnessed a student with behavioural issues and was prone to aggressive outbursts. My immediate reaction was " what is that child doing in this classroom?" as I imagine most parents would wonder. It was through my EA training I gained insight into why this child was there and the benefits of including him were. Secondly, on my field placement I witnessed the many benefits of inclusion on both the students with exceptionalities and the students without. Without these experiences I would have to say I would probably be in the same mindset I was initially. This is where I believe the controversy stems from. People not being educated enough on all the benefits inclusion has to offer. People being "closed minded" as I was, and actually taking a selfish attitude, thinking how is my "normal" child going to benefit from inclusion.
The two sides of the issue in my opinion are those who are educated in the benefits of inclusion and have the necessary recourses to make it a positive experience are pro inclusion. Whereas those who are against it may not fully understand the many benefits to everyone involved OR may work in an environment where the necessary resources are not available to make inclusion work.
In my opinion the role of the EA fits into a successful inclusive environment by being the backbone of the inclusive system. The EA is the person who is specifically trained to support students with exceptionalities and is there to ensure that the necessary accommodations and modifications are implemented so the student can reach their own academic and social potential. This takes the pressure off of the classroom teacher and allows them to continue with the lesson for the rest of the class without interruption. A good EA with the right attitude and training I believe is the heart of successful inclusion.
In his article, Making Canadian Schools Inclusive: A Call to Action, Gordon Porter identifies the implementation of quality educational services to students with disabilities a 'flash point issue.' I think Porter means that inclusive education is a very complicated issue. So many factors come into play and so many people involved in a decision making process and implementation that it is very difficult to satisfy everyone’s wishes while keeping within current rules, regulations, practices and funding polices that exist. The current system is still not working and not always keeping the student’s best interests in mind.
ReplyDeleteIn Porter’s view, inclusive education is when all students, regardless of abilities, are educated in regular schools, involved in academic and social aspects of school life and where support is provided to students and teachers to produce a safe environment where all students can succeed. I agree with his definition because I think that every child should have an opportunity to be in school, to learn, to make friends and see how far they can go and not to feel left out.
My training as an educational assistant has influenced my understanding of the controversy that surrounds the implementation of inclusive practices in education. The more I learn, the more I see causes for the division of opinions. People are either for inclusive education or against it for different reasons. The segregation of people with exceptionalities in educational system and in the society overall led to a misconception and a lack of knowledge of general population about people with exceptionalities. People who never dealt with people with exceptionalities very often have limited knowledge of exceptionalities, of people who have them and their abilities. Usually, lack of knowledge leads to fear and misunderstanding, and back to segregation. Some people would like to change that for their children (whether with exceptionalities or without); some would prefer things to stay the way they are. Many people do not understand how inclusive education works nor a teaching process of addressing the needs of students of different abilities. On the other hand, there are people who understand all of the above, but still have opposite opinions. I think it depends on what goals people seek to achieve, what they value, what they want their children to learn and how much effort they are willing to put into it.
Educational assistant can help in implementing the changes to create inclusive, effective community schools by:
- Believing in benefits of inclusive education
- Educating yourselves and people (adult and children alike) around you about abilities of students with exceptionalities, and also their needs and how we all can be a part of the whole and help each other to be better people.
- Teaching how to include by example.
- Being a supportive member of the team (student-teacher-EA-parents-community-etc.).
- Being creative and inventive (funding will probably always be a problem).
- Networking with other professionals and people involved in students’ lives to share strategies, ideas, experiences.
- Providing support not only to students with exceptionalities, but other students as well.
- Encouraging community involvement and support.
- Doing their job to the best of their abilities.
I think the meaning behind Gordon Porter using the expression "flash point issue" when referring to the implementation of quality educational services to students with disabilities is that it's a matter that ignites controversy with all that are involved; parents, teachers and the educational system. There are so many factors to be considered; human rights laws, policies, practices and funding, it's difficult to develop one sound proof solution that will appease everyone.
ReplyDeleteIn Porter's view, inclusive education involves creating an educational environment where ALL students, regardless of abilities and or disabilities, participate academically and socially with their age peers in their community school. They are to be given support and access to the same learning opportunities to help them reach goals and be successful.
I fully agree with Porter's definition of inclusion in the classroom, however, I would the extend the definition to include outside of the classroom as well. Inclusion should also involve extra-curricular activities and learning that takes place outside of the school. When off-site events and trips are planned, ALL students still need to be considered and included.
My EA training has influenced my understanding of the controversy that surrounds the implementation of inclusion by giving me some insight and awareness of how beneficial inclusive education can be. Working in inclusive classrooms, I have observed students interacting with one another and it's been positive. I believe that people who are in favour and support inclusion, understand the benefits of students being amongst their peers in the regular classroom setting, and with the proper support in place, they will be given the opportunity to reach their full learning potential. Those who are against inclusion believe that students with disabilties will not benefit from a regular classroom setting and that their presence may have a negative impact on the other students in the class and interfere with their learning.
I believe an Educational Assistant is instrumental in the development and implementation of inclusive classrooms. An EA has the education and the resources to be an effective team menber in helping develop plans for effective classroom settings, help support the classroom teachers and parents, share their knowledge of strategies and best practices and they have an understanding of diverse needs.
1. I think that when Porter says "flash point issue", he means that there will always be contraversy when talking about inclusion. There are people who will think one way is better, and the other side will think the other way is better. Because the public does not fully understand the term "inclusion", it's hard to pin point where to start.
ReplyDelete2. Porter portrays inclusion as every student has the right to learn. This means that no matter what the ability or disabilities are of the students, they will all be in "regular" classrooms, with the ability to learn with their peers. I agree with his point, because I agree that all students need to go on field trips, and learn to their fullest potential.
3. Training as EA has influenced my understanding of the controversy. Before becoming an Educational Assistant I wasn't aware that there was a controversy regarding of the inclusion issue. Both sides have equal valid points. Is it fair to put a 14 year old who is learning like a 7 year old in the same classroom as his age group? Is it fair to keep the 14 year old in a separate classroom with no social interaction from others in the school? I believe that this is one controversy that will always stay 2 sided.
4. How an EA can fit in:
-Provide resources for students, parents and the general public
-Help teachers as much as possible
-Advocate for what you believe in
-Continuous research
-check our resources
totally just realized this doesn't even say Melody....
DeleteFrom reading this awesome article, I believe from Gordon Porter point of view, is expression to take action and to get the students with disabilities to ensure them into a regular classrooms.
ReplyDeletePorter's point of view of inclusive education is to have the normal students and the students with disabilities should be put into classrooms and not keep them apart or far away from each.
Therefore, I would have to agree with Porter's definition. Porter wording on his view of "inclusive" says it perfectly and I wouldn't change a single word. Well done Porter!
Yes, as a student who is enroll Education Assistant studies, and will become one, one day, understands the problem and controversy on having of seeing from both sides of views the agreement. Some of the parents want to see their child, teenager grow up with same peer group and interact socially. So the students with disabilities can be friends forever with the other classmates. Examples: the same school as their siblings go to, play sports, read, hang out, have a good laugh and eat with each other.
On the other side of the tracks, these parents don't want their child or teenager to be inclusive education program. They wants what's best for them and get them the right help working individual one on one with a EA, teacher and maybe a tutor.
Of course the Education Assistants has a BIG help on the child or teenager. It's their job to help them in and outside the classroom, school lot, supermarket, if they going somewhere for an assignment. Stuff and staff members are going to change but it's going to be over time. The staff of their own school must know the right training for students with disabilities understand the rights and help each other with associations to develop supports they need.
-After reading this article I think In his article, I feel when Gordon Porter uses the expression "flash point issue" he means referring to the quality of educational services to students with disabilities and needs.
ReplyDelete-Porter's point of view of inclusive education is to have the normal students and students with disabilities and need that they should be put into classrooms and not keep them apart from the others.
- I agree and disagree this. I agree because everyone should be together, and none should be left out, however I disagree because students who need that extra help/support should be in a separate classroom so they can have more one on one with the teachers and EA. If they are in a regular classroom they wont be able to have as much one on one because the teacher wont have time to just focus on them.
- Yes, as being a student studying Educational Assistant I understand the controversy that surrounds the implementation of inclusive practices in education because some parents would like to see there child enrolled in a regular classroom and no a classroom suitable for them. in my first placement I got to see a lot of kids interacting both in classroom and outside of the classroom. They want there child to be able to have friends, and interact with other students, I do agree with both sides though
- I feel as an EA we have a big part of a child's life in and outside of the classroom. We need to be able to identify the child's needs and be able to know how to handle it properly. Its an EA's job to help the student be successful.
-They also need to provide the proper information, help the teacher as much as they can in the classroom and do lots of research online or go threw textbooks and notes to get all the information and question they might want answered. lastly, they need to be very supportive and have a positive attitude towards everyone.
-By saying that this is a ‘flash point issue,’ I believe Porter is saying that we have to start at the beginning.
ReplyDelete-According to Porter inclusive education means that all students including those with disabilities and other special needs are education, in a regular classroom with peers of the same age. I completely agree with this definition and would describe it the same way. Also include what Porter has said about engaging all students in the same learning and social activities.
-Before my training I truthfully had no thoughts about an inclusive environment. As I have been on this learning journey I believe it has affected my thoughts on inclusion. I have a better understanding of what inclusion is and how it is beneficial. On one hand inclusion is about equal opportunities, and not discriminating based upon abilities. On the other hand some parents and educators believe that having a student with a exceptionality will take away the learning needs of the other students in the class.
-I believe Educational Assistants play a key role in these critical steps. EA’s first build a rapport with students, which gains not only the students but the parents trust and respect. Showing the parents and students that the EA’s on wanting the best outcome for their students. EA’s are also taught and implent different teaching methods that meet a child’s needs. This are things that other educators in schools must also know.