All students have different learning styles and abilities. Just to mention a few; Jerry Webster, special education expert says, " some students are strung visual learners, some are auditory. Some are kinetic, and learn best when they can move around. Many children benefit from sensory input, and students who are ADHD or Dyslexic benefit from being able to move as they process information." Project Based Learning is an excellent way to differentiate instruction in an inclusion classroom, especially when the class consist of developmentally disable and gifted.
Samantha S. Kincaid and Suee Jackson, wrote an article describing a project that will make a positive impact in today's special education classrooms. PBL will empower students with special needs to become more confident, independent and successful. These students went into the community discovered how inaccessible the sidewalks were.Upon returning to school, students wanted to know who to call to fix the problems. They asked questions like, "Who do we call to complain?, and "Who is responsible for fixing side walks in front of houses?, "And what can we do to help? "These special need students took a real world problem, and tried to find a solution. The Community Based Work Instruction Program (CBWI) classes are being taught in Mobile, Al. at Augusta Evans Special School. There is an inside program for the students who are not able to leave the campus, they are trained to work in the cafeteria, wiping tables, doing dishes, and sweeping. The outside program will take the students to grocery stores to stock and clean shelves. They go to hotels to clean rooms, make up beds, and clean restrooms. Future jobs will require higher levels of training and ability to work collaboratively in groups. Teachers must have compassion for students with varying levels of disabilities. when students are excited about what they are doing, their behavior is better and they will learn more.
Very interesting post. I love that Augusta Evans is introducing special needs students to real world situations. This is very important for them to learn. A lot of these kids are capable of doing a lot more than people give them credit for.
ReplyDeleteI like your question and summary, but you did not make instructions with links for the assignment. You are right about the different learning styles and abilities of students. That is what I like about PBL, because it can be differentiated to different levels and styles.
ReplyDelete..."students are strung", should be "strong."
..."class consist of developmentally disable", should be "class consists of developmentally disabled"
Overall good post.
"...some students are strung visual learners," strong, not strung
ReplyDeleteAn interesting question. Thoughtful comment upon it.