Exploring Challenges Experienced by Teachers in Implementing Inclusive Education in Classrooms: A South African Perspective

The implementation of inclusive education in schools in South Africa has not been fully achieved despite the existence of numerous policies on the same. However, there is very scanty information on current issues that are faced by teachers during the pandemic. Therefore, the present study sought to examine challenges experienced by teachers in implementing inclusive education in classrooms within a South African context. In this study, Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory was adopted. The phenomenological research design was adopted for this study. The selected sample size in this study was eight participants obtained using purposive sampling method. In this study, semi-structured interview was used as the data collection tool. Thematic framework was adopted to analyse data in this study. The study reported that there were four main themes on classroom challenges faced by teachers namely, limited instructional time, inadequate resources, inadequate support and lastly, impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommends that teachers should adopt collaborative practices with school base support teams which had the capacity to mobilise several resources available on the local community to enhance implementation of inclusive education.

A position paper on the Quest for Education Quality and Inclusivity in Low Resource Environments such as Zimbabwe through Social Media

Social media has revolutionised human interaction globally especially on the informal front. This paper proposes that the social media facility could be ‘tamed' to help bridge the educational divide that is apparent especially in developing countries such as Zimbabwe and that was magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic split education provision along income lines with those from the higher income bracket accessing educational instruction virtually even during such an ‘emergency' while those from the low income group were literally on sabbatical, virtually excluded. The obtaining scenario threatens realisation of Sustainable Development Goal Number 4 by 2030 as planned by the United Nations. The particular goal is aimed at ensuring "inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all”. In some instances, some candidates get to the examination room so inadequately prepared that the situation can be described as de facto exclusion. In order to assist Covid-19 pandemic affected learners and to uplift education quality in low income communities, this paper recommends the provision of a tablet per class/grade that should be viewed as a learning/teaching tool. The class teacher can use the tablet to download material, show educational videos to the class, audio/video record learners for educational ends, receive educational materials from the Ministry and its partners and avail these in an interesting multimodal manner to the learners.

Research on online inclusive education in Taiwan in the era of COVID-19

Since 2019, many studies explored the effectiveness of online courses, but few investigated how to create an inclusive education context in the online course environment. In June 2021, this study conducted an online questionnaire survey of 208 ordinary class teachers and special education teachers from kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools in northern, central, and southern Taiwan via random sampling. The questionnaire consisted of six open-ended questions to examine the views of the participants. We used grounded theory to code and classify the qualitative data, and performed chi-square tests to quantitatively analyze the data obtained. The results indicated that most teachers recommended the use of interactive and cooperative online teaching strategies;the management of online inclusive education courses in the form of synchronous and asynchronous online courses to help students with special needs adapt to online courses;the building of a good cooperative relationship with parents and reducing the digital divide;full cooperation between ordinary class teachers and special education teachers;and sharing of textbooks and teaching strategies with each other. In addition, the majority of teachers considered their digital abilities below average, which was especially obvious among kindergarten and special education teachers.

Identifying and Responding to Students? Social-emotional Learning Needs related to COVID-19

In this practice-oriented article, the authors aim to provide teachers with tools to identify and respond to students' social-emotional learning (SEL) during COVID-19 and beyond. Related to the principles of whole schooling, this content connects with Principle 1: Creating Learning Spaces for All, Principle 4: Build a Caring Community, and Principle 6: Partner with Families and the Community. In this article, the authors provide an overview of SEL literature and research-based related strategies, then introduce two vignettes, one pre-COVID-19 and one peri-COVID-19 (i.e., during COVID-19), and conclude with a discussion connecting SEL literature and strategies to the data they received from surveying students' SEL needs at their school. The authors hope that by sharing how they surveyed students to identify their SEL needs because of the pandemic, that administrators and teachers can recreate a similar "SEL roadmap" that they used to navigate students' emotional support needs resulting from excessive stress, anxiety, and isolation connected to remote learning and the pandemic at large.

Uncovering the Filipino mothers' experiences in teaching young children during uncertain times through reflexive thematic analysis

The present study examined the preparations made by 14 mothers to ensure that their children's education was unhampered during the COVID-19 crisis and ready for face-to-face classes when permitted. The study used a reflexive thematic analysis of the face-to-face interviews with participants belonging to low-income families living in the central Philippines whose children used printed modules as teaching materials provided by the school. The study generated three themes: "realizing the gaps” (realizing that in-person campus-based instruction is better because distant learning is not effective);"filling in the gaps” (taking the lead in teaching the child at home and assisted by family and community members) and "getting back on track” (preparing children for face-to-face classes against the COVID-19). The study showed how Filipino parents particularly mothers kept their children in school despite pandemic-induced uncertainties, economic scarcities and social inequalities. The desire driven by the perceived benefits derived from education brought out the pathways to resourcefulness. This study draws attention to equal opportunities for learning across socio-economic statuses and a more inclusive delivery of instruction during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023 by the authors;licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group.

Issues and challenges of inclusion in distance teaching and learning from the perspective of university students and teachers

This paper attempts to present the challenges and issues of inclusion in distance teaching and learning as experienced by Czech university teachers and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article offers analytical insights into how the virtual university environment and classrooms were affected by the pandemic crisis. Although several international studies have been conducted on COVID and distance education, only a few have explored in detail the topic of inclusion by covering both the perspectives of university teachers and students. Our results are based on a questionnaire survey of teachers and a pilot questionnaire survey of students administered at a public university in the Czech Republic. Further, the findings highlight the inclusion of students with special needs in the context of the pandemic crisis to provide up-to-date perspectives from university teachers and students on issues related to inclusivity in the teaching and learning environment. The study indicates that more support and further training to teachers are needed regarding issues of inclusion to help bring online learning to the same level as education in brick-and-mortar schools. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Distance Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Inclusive Community Aquatics Programming for Children with Developmental Challenges: A Community Participatory Action Research

Background: Children who are neurodiverse have traditionally been segregated from their peers in community-based programs, despite evidence of health benefits of inclusive education. Objectives: This community-initiated project aims to explore barriers and facilitators to inclusive aquatics programming for children with developmental and/or mental health challenges. Methods: Using a participatory-action research methodology, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 14 participants from various stakeholder groups, including parents of children who are neurodiverse, helping professionals, and community programmers. Results: Participants described unique definitions of inclusion, from integration with neurotypical peers, to individualized goal-setting and achievement. Major facilitators include adequate resources, flexibility around accommodations, and motivated staff. Major barriers include social stigma, financial limitations, and lack of communication between caregivers and service providers. Conclusions: Participants felt strongly about the need to improve inclusion practices within aquatics—and other community-based—programs. Increased collaboration between families, community programmers, and helping professionals can foster better inclusion and outcomes for children who are neurodiverse. By incorporating various perspectives into the design of future programs, program administrators can ensure more equitable access such that all children are able to participate.

Cultures of Play: Actors, Affordances and Arenas

The principles of EECERA focus on providing a relevant and rigorous academic forum in Europe;facilitating collaboration and cooperation between European researchers and other researchers around the world;encouraging clear articulation and communication links between research, practice, and policy;and offering interaction, development, and support to those interested in early childhood education. The conference aimed to answer the following questions: * In what ways do cultures shape play in early childhood across time and space? * How is play sculpted by its actors, affordances, and arenas? * In light of the recent global pandemic and other disruptions to daily life, how does play feature in research, teaching, and experience? In addition to these thought-provoking keynote addresses, researchers and practitioners engaged in special interest group presentations in the following areas: birth to three, children from refugee or migrant backgrounds, digital childhoods, multimodality and STEM, disability studies and inclusive education in the early years, gender balance, holistic wellbeing, mathematics birth to 8 years, multilingual childhoods, outdoor play and learning, participatory pedagogy and praxeological research, professionalism in early childhood education and care, rethinking play, sustainability in early childhood education, transforming assessment evaluation and documentation in early childhood pedagogy, transitions, working with parents and families, and young children's perspectives.

Organization of an Inclusive Educational Environment for the Students with Special Needs

The article analyzes the communicative activity of those students who have difficulties in mental development, as a condition for organizing an educational environment for children with special needs. It was concluded that the inability to communicate with school peers, teachers, and adults affects the organization of an inclusive educational environment (hereinafter - IES) for children with special educational needs (hereinafter - SEN). An example of creating an IES in an elementary school is offered. Specific difficulties that hinder the development of communication (communicative skills) among children aged 7 - 10 with limited health opportunities have been identified. The importance of game activities in the process of organizing an educational space for children with special needs is emphasized. An original author's method of formation of communication skills of students with SEN is proposed, which was based on the key provisions of the pedagogical system of the Italian scientist, doctor, teacher, civic activist, and organizer of educational institutions around the world M. Montessori. Creating an inclusive educational space for children with special needs, we programmed situations where students would develop self-care skills (dressing and undressing, changing shoes, cleaning, dusting, sweeping, taking care of flower pots, taking care of flower beds). Educational materials developed by M. Montessori were shown to the children. The teaching methods proposed by the scientist were also updated. The author's method of formation of communicative skills of students with SEN provided for various forms and methods of learning, both traditional and innovative (project activity, competitions, dramatization, discussion, public performances, didactic games, etc.). The peculiarities of the functioning of the IOP under the conditions of distance learning caused by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic are characterized. It is emphasized the importance of organizing the game activities of students with SEN as one of the conditions for the successful functioning of IES in the school. The risks posed by online education for children with SEN are highlighted. It was concluded that the process of forming communication skills in students with SEN under the conditions of quarantine restrictions and online learning will become more effective if group work is established (if possible) in the learning process in the classroom and proper pedagogical assistance is provided to the student with SEN at home.

DEPOIS DO FIM: educação pública, pesquisa e pós-graduação pós-pandemia - uma entrevista com Geovana Mendonça Lunardi Mendes

The interview presents a dialogue with Geovana Mendonça Lunardi Mendes, a Brazilian researcher who has dedicated herself to the theme of inclusive education. Professor at the State University of Santa Catarina, the trajectory of our interviewee is marked by the defense of public education as the right of all people, which supports her performance as president of the National Association of Graduate Studies in Education (ANPEd), one of the largest and most respected, scientific entities in the educational field in Brazil that defends public education, research and graduate studies. Among the numerous possibilities of approach in this interview, we present the reflections that our interviewee has carried out as president of ANPEd and her performance in the clashes in defense of graduate and inclusive education, as well as the impacts of the pandemic of covid-19 for education. © 2022 Curriculo sem Fronteiras. All rights reserved.

SPECIAL EDUCATION IN THE PANDEMIC: STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

This study analyzes the strategies and challenges identified in the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic to the provision of schooling for special education students, particularly from the perspective of public primary education teachers. The data were generated by means of the responses of 937 teachers from across Brazil to an online questionnaire that was posted on an accessible platform and translated into Libras. Among the results, it was observed that despite pre-pandemic investments on digital technologies, remote learning was predominantly carried out using printed material, and teaching special education students was pointed out as the main challenge. It is expected that this study will contribute to mapping the implications of remote learning for special education. © 2023, Fundacao Carlos Chagas. All rights reserved.

Students' Perception of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Polish and Ukrainian Perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a rapid shift to online learning at universities, leading to an acceleration of changes directed at creating more inclusive education models. The goal of this research is to explore various aspects of online learning patterns, including students' online behavior, and attitude towards online communication. The study incorporates qualitative and qualitative data analysis. Based on 1562 survey responses from Polish and Ukrainian students, it has been found that there are still differences in digital competencies between men and women, which may be rooted in traditional gender roles. The analysis of students' attitudes towards online education also identified both positive and negative aspects of this form of learning, providing insight into areas that could be improved. The main research limitation stems from the interpretative nature of the findings, which have restricted generalization power. The research findings may be useful in shaping future educational policies at Polish and Ukrainian universities. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Fostering school connectedness online for students with diverse learning needs: Inclusive education in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Over the first few months of 2020, the schooling sector shifted to distance education as governments moved to bring the virus, COVID-19, under control. Education sectors rapidly developed online environments. In this milieu teachers have made swift changes to accommodate their students' diverse range of learning needs. In this article, we draw on a qualitative study in Australia to identify key challenges and approaches for fostering school connectedness when students with special educational needs are suddenly required to be educated at distance. A heuristic to define school connectedness is supported that involves connecting with supportive adults;a sense of belonging;positive peer relationships;engagement with learning, and the experience of a positive online climate. Findings from this case study signal that, despite the efforts of educators, students who have special educational needs can slip between the cracks and are at great risk of losing connection both academically and emotionally. There were challenges with students who did not engage in online learning at all. Although practitioners in the study worked with parents to provide the structures for curricula to be addressed, teachers working at distance could enhance school connectedness through fostering teacher and student, and student and student relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Exploration of In-Service Teachers' Preparedness and Perceived Challenges about Inclusive Education in the United Arab Emirates

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic led to the deterioration of exclusive pedagogical practices in different learning institutions. This is because the pandemic forced teachers to make an abrupt instructional switch from face-to-face to online learning without having sufficient time to prepare. Various studies have reported that students with special needs in learning have to tolerate the burden of this tumultuous instructional transition. The educational policymakers have requested that in-service teachers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attend an inclusive education professional development program to equip them with knowledge and skills for teaching and supporting special needs children. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which in-service teachers were prepared to teach inclusively and the challenges they perceive after completing a six-month inclusive education teacher professional development (TPD) program. The study was done using a qualitative case study within an interpretive paradigm. Fourteen teachers from different schools across the country were purposively selected to complete an open-ended questionnaire and participate in semi-structured interviews. It was found that teachers gained comprehensive knowledge from the program and they felt confident and ready to implement inclusive pedagogical approaches in their classrooms. © 2023 Meda et al.

Home-based educational care in times of pandemic. A technological challenge for the Hospital and Home Education Care Team in the Region of Murcia

The way of understanding education has changed as a result of the health emergency caused by COVID-19. The education system has faced a new challenge of adaptation and transformation of our educational reality. The aim of this article is to present the strategies that the Educational Home Care Service (SAED) has offered. To this end, this organisation has developed an avant-garde methodology that has taken the form of a platform where a student-friendly environment and resources have been recreated to provide a basic scaffolding for teaching activity. A series of online platforms were selected with which the SAED team of professionals optimised their telematic teachinglearning process. This research highlights the attention received by students with special educational needs. The results reflect on this review of education in an exceptional context in which educational and interactive material has served to stimulate different types of learners in an exceptional situation. © GTE-Educational Technology Group, University of the Balearic Islands. All Rights Reserved.

Teachers' digital competence to assist students with functional diversity: Identification of factors through logistic regression methods

We are experiencing a serious health crisis due to COVID-19 that has a major impact on the field of education. The educational system therefore needs to be updated and innovated, with the addition of digital resources, to adapt the teaching and learning processes to students with disabilities. To meet the goal of high-quality education, teachers must have adequate digital competence to face the educational demands that are placed on them. Therefore, the purposes of this study are: to know the teachers' knowledge about digital resources to support students with disabilities (O1);at each educational stage (O2), identify the variables that have a significant impact on the acquisition of teacher competence (O3);propose a selection of useful ICT resources for each type of disability (O4). An ex post facto design was used with 1194 teachers from Andalusia (Spain). The results showed the medium-low level of the teaching staff, especially in the higher education stage. In addition, gender, motivation, attitude and having students with special needs are determining factors in the development of teacher knowledge. The results highlight the urgent need for teachers to be trained in digital resources. We hope that the range of resources proposed in this study will help teachers enhance their teaching practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Principles of inclusive practice in schools: what is COVID-19 teaching us?

In March 2020, schools worldwide closed due to COVID-19 and students were required to continue learning from home. Following a review of principles for inclusive practice in schools, we share related literature focusing on how school systems employed these principles during online delivery. After describing emergent themes, we provide a commentary suggesting that the online learning environment resembled the "building of a plane, while flying”. Although there was disregard of a number of principles globally, positive stories are also shared to disseminate ideas for moving forward. We conclude with some key recommendations for future development of inclusive education in schools. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Making change: instructional pivots of academic makerspace projects during the COVID-19 pandemic

In March of 2020, the world encountered the COVID-19 pivot, an abrupt transition from in-person interactions to a socially distanced world. Within schools of engineering, this pivot meant a switch out of collaborative environments, including academic makerspaces. This research investigates how engineering faculty pivoted their instruction to account for the limited capacity, of an academic makerspace during the COVID-19 pivot. We interviewed four engineering faculty members in the United States who utilise the academic makerspace for a course project. Then, we used a descriptive case study approach to explore their perspectives on their instructional pivots. Using Henderson et al.'s ([2011]. "Facilitating Change in Undergraduate STEM Instructional Practices: An Analytic Review of Literature.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching 48 (8): 952–984) theoretical framework of change strategies within undergraduate STEM education, we identify when and how each change strategy was used and discuss themes across the instruction pivots. These pivots provide real-world examples of instructional shifts that instructors implemented to differentiate, and in some cases change, their coursework to support inclusive learning environments.

Re-examining the education for all agenda in "apocalyptic” times

This chapter aims to re-examine the Education for All agenda in "apocalyptic” times. In so doing, it explores how the global pandemic has provided opportunity for alternative perspectives to approach and engage with education in more equitable and inclusive ways. While a shift to online learning was intended to support educational inclusion, it simultaneously served to marginalize some of the most vulnerable learners globally. This chapter proposes a collective responsibility to scrutinize how inclusion and exclusion can be reimagined in order to rebuild education systems that are fairer and more accessible for the learners to which they account. What the global pandemic has evidenced is that there remains great provision to reconsider how education can be enacted in increasingly unpredictable and unstable times. This is no more opportune than as the world begins to emerge from a global pandemic. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.