From clinic to classroom: a model of teacher education for inclusion
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Date
2012
Authors
Walton, Elizabeth
Lloyd, Gillian
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
One of the challenges associated with the implementation of inclusive education in South Africa is the
effective training of teachers to meet diverse learning needs in their classrooms. This article reflects
on the pilot years of a postgraduate degree course in inclusive education developed at a South African
university, using Cochran-Smith and Lytle’s (1999) concept of “inquiry-as-stance”. Replacing previous
courses which focused on equipping students to provide individual support in clinical settings, the course
emphasises inclusive teaching strategies appropriate for whole-class teaching. The course is designed to
avoid both individual deficit constructions of learner difference and a rigid theory/practice dichotomy.
To ensure context relevance and practical implementation of the pedagogies taught, lecturers visited
students in their classrooms and provided support and feedback. Students also kept journals, supported
one another by sharing experiences, and were assessed on a critical incident report. Course evaluations
attest to student satisfaction with the course content and delivery. The difficulties that both students and
lecturers encountered while implementing inclusive pedagogies can be explained as challenges associated
with change. The article concludes that teachers need to develop a collaborative and classroom-based
knowledge-of-inclusive practice by implementing, reflecting on and theorising inclusive pedagogies.
Description
Keywords
Inclusive education, Postgraduate teacher education, Inclusive pedagogies, Inquiry as stance
Citation
Walton, E., & Lloyd, G. (2012). From clinic to classroom: a model of teacher education for inclusion. Perspectives in Education, 30(2), 62-70.