As a general education teacher, you will be working with a wide range of students in your classroom, including those with exceptionalities. Strong working knowledge about the IDEA disability categories, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes of the disabilities, and the cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional patterns of learning and development for these students is crucial.
Another key aspect of successful teaching is creating a positive, inclusive classroom that promotes human flourishing and fosters meaningful connections among students. To support this goal, it is essential for educators to share information with colleagues about strategies for valuing all students, including those with exceptionalities, as integral members of the classroom community. This often involves equipping fellow educators with the tools to address social and communication challenges faced by students with exceptionalities to build understanding, empathy, and respect.
In this assignment, create a presentation to explore how educators can provide individualized support for students with mild to moderate disabilities. This exercise is designed to build empathy, foster an understanding of student needs, and practice the ethical considerations essential to teaching. Focus on sharing practices for maintaining privacy and ensuring your work aligns with professional ethical standards, including FERPA guidelines.
Part 1: Inclusive Education Showcase
Review the “Sample Inclusive Education Showcase.†Using what you have learned from the topic Resources and your own research, create an informative presentation for the two disability categories presented below. The target audience for this presentation is other general educators in your selected grade band. This exercise should be designed to help educators understand and address the unique learning needs of students with disabilities. Focus on creating a resource that equips teachers to promote an inclusive classroom environment, encouraging human flourishing and fostering positive relationships among all students.
- Disability 1: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Disability 2: High-Incidence Disability
Note: A high-incidence disability refers to a category of disabilities that occur most frequently in the general population. These typically include learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mild intellectual disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disorders. Students with high-incidence disabilities often require support in academic, social, and behavioral areas, but with appropriate interventions, they can thrive in inclusive classroom environments.
Select one of the disability categories listed below for your second inclusive education showcase.
- Specific Learning Disability in Reading
- Emotional Disturbance
- Intellectual Disability
- Other Health Impairment (ADD/ADHD)
- Speech or Language Impairment
You may use the tools of your choice (e.g., Storyboard That, MagicSchool AI, PowerPoint) to create your education showcase. The presentation should include the following elements for each of the disability categories:
- Title that indicates disability category and a grade band of your choice (K-3, 4-8, 9-12).
- Specific definition, characteristics, prevalence, and causes associated with the disability.
- Explanation about how the disability may affect a student in their school day and peer relationships (physically, emotionally, socially, etc.).
- Discussion about how the disability may affect a student’s academic learning (consider cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional factors).
- Explanation of classroom expectations to support the inclusion of students with the disability.
- Relevant photos/graphics.
Note: Disability information is confidential and protected under FERPA. Therefore, the student used in the “Sample Inclusive Education Showcase†and any students in your showcase should be fictional individuals. These fictional examples are designed to highlight the whole child, effectively illustrating the unique strengths and needs of an individual with a disability.
Part 2: Inclusive Education Showcase Video
Demonstrate how you would present one of the inclusive education showcases to your colleagues by making a 2-3 minute video that shows you presenting the information. Ensure you use professional language that promotes the student’s inherent worth and dignity.
Remember that video and audio quality are important and should be taken into consideration. Ensure your video is filmed with sufficient lighting and that the volume is adequate for viewers to hear. Intonation, expression, proper speech, and professional attire are expected.
Refer to “Recording/Editing/Uploading a Video or Podcast†and use an online video platform such as Zoom, Loom, YouTube, or Vimeo to upload your completed video. If you upload your video to YouTube, select the “unlisted†option.
Support the assignment with 2-3 scholarly resources.
Submit the Part 1 Inclusive Education Showcase, the Part 2 video link, and the supporting resources in a single document. Ensure that others can access and view your linked video prior to submitting the assignment.
While APA Style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
