Embracing every learner: the role of Inclusion in education

The aim of this training course is to engage participants in reflecting on and discussing various strategies, methods, and best practices aimed at fostering inclusion in the classroom. At the heart of this training lie three key concepts: empathy, cooperation, and membership. These elements serve as the pillars of inclusive education, emphasizing the importance of understanding, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within the learning environment.
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The new edition of the course “Special needs and inclusive education, the Italian experience of overcoming segregation” took place in Palermo from 10/03/2024 to 16/03/2024. The participants came from Serbia with Julija, Dragana, Nebojsa, Tijana, Vinka, Danijela, Tanja and Jelena from elementary school ‘‘Vuk Karadzic’’ .​

The course began by acknowledging the importance of inclusion in the classroom. Participants engaged in icebreaker activities and discussed their expectations and contributions. The main focus of the first day was to explore what inclusion means in education. We investigated the differences between inclusion, segregation, integration, and exclusion. Additionally, we explored the concept of special educational needs and emphasized the importance of having all students belong in a mainstream classroom and school, allowing learners with disabilities (whether visible or hidden) to learn alongside their peers. Finally, the group presented their school.

On the second day, we explored the Italian Model, presenting Inclusive education in Italy and the Italian approach. The group investigated “Membership” as the sense of “feeling to belong to a group” and of perceiving how your contribution could be meaningful for others. This sense of belonging is crucial for creating a welcoming environment that fosters learning. We then shifted our focus to “Empathy” as the foundation for building relationships between teachers, pupils, and families. Empathy involves taking the perspective of others, being non-judgmental, and understanding another person’s feelings.

On the third day, participants learned about the concept of mindset and explored various skills and mindsets. The group became familiar with Growth Mindset Language, aiming to foster a safe and stimulating environment for all students. Additionally, they engaged in practical sessions where they experimented with innovative teaching methods using ICT tools like Bamboozle, Quizlet, Lucidspark, and Magic Schools. These tools highlighted the importance and benefits of incorporating ICT into education, especially for students with diverse abilities. Participants also collaborated to create games for classroom use, enhancing their proficiency with ICT tools and nurturing creativity in the process.
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On the fourth day, teachers had the opportunity to visit a local school: ‘’I Circolo Didattico Giuseppe Bagnera’’, a preschool and primary school in Bagheria. During the visit, the group exchanged best practices with local teachers, gained insights into the methods and theories covered throughout the course and experienced firsthand the ‘’Italian Model’’ in action.​

​On the final day, participants gained knowledge on strategies for involving families, learned about the Jigsaw method, and explored Specific Learning Disorders. Moreover, they were introduced to Immersive Reader, a tool designed to aid with reading and comprehension by enhancing text focus and readability across various documents. Additionally, participants gained insights into creating inclusive school materials such as maps using software like Word and Canva. They also learned other innovative teaching tools like Genially, Learning Apps and Mentimeter.
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During the course, we explored the peculiarities of the “Italian Model”, one of the few examples of inclusive education. This model is based on the principle of not having special schools, and embraces the idea to “include” everyone in the same system, counting on the support of special figures like Support Teachers and Educators.

​The networking activities among the participating teachers during the course were undeniably the most enriching moments of the week. These sessions provided a platform for exchanging viewpoints, sharing models and methods, engaging in group discussions, and mutually enriching one another’s perspectives. The group learned new tools and approaches with the aim of promoting continuous improvement.

What better way to conclude than by expressing gratitude to all the participants whose interest and dedication made this course enriching. We hope to see you soon!

Discover more about this course here.