Axel Gordillo

Professor Weaver

English 1102

April 25, 2022

Inclusive teaching and its importance

It’s not uncommon to know that some students may feel excluded when it comes to school, whether it be because of their religion, sexual orientation, or even a disability. This issue is a direct result of some schools not doing enough to make students feel more included. The focus and purpose of this research are to explore the importance of inclusive learning/teaching, and the possible effects that it can have on students. Implementing inclusive teaching and its practices is important because it makes students feel as if they belong which is critical to their success, as more students with disabilities enter college it is needed even more, and because it helps students perform academically better.

First, to understand the importance of inclusive teaching one must know the definition. Viji Sathy and Kelly A. Hogan describe it perfectly in their article, “How to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive: Advice Guide” as, “…embracing student diversity in all forms — race, ethnicity, gender, disability, socioeconomic background, ideology, even personality traits like introversion — as an asset (1).” Their research asks questions and answers them in a way that can help people get a broader understanding of this topic. They also give tips on how to implement these strategies in classrooms. Overall, Sathy and Hogan encourage teaching practices that are more suitable and cater to a wider range of students, those who are generally from groups that have been marginalized. Because old methods of teaching do not cater to all kinds of students, it is important to figure out creative ways to include everyone. Making every student feel like they have a sense of belonging in school is critical to their success. It is also important to note that as more students with disabilities enter higher education institutions, the need for inclusive teaching practices is needed now more than ever for them. Besides making students feel more included, inclusive teaching practices have been shown to help students academically.

To give an example of what could happen when there is an absence of an inclusive environment in the classroom, a student with a shy demeanor walks into a class and is asked a question. They give the wrong answer to the question and the instructor makes no effort to reassure the student. Next time the student is asked a question they will simply not answer and remain quiet because they will feel as if that is the best option. The absence of inclusive teaching practices such as reassurance can diminish a student’s confidence in the classroom. This issue can also affect a student’s self-esteem as well as their motivation and success. Situations like this and many others highlight the importance of inclusive teaching and its practices. Inclusive teaching helps us develop a feeling of belonging that is pivotal for success. According to Bryan Dewsbury and Cynthia J. Brame, in their article, “Inclusive Teaching” (published in CBE—Life Sciences Education) states that self-efficacy is a direct result of inclusive teaching practices like making a student feel as if they belong (1). Self-efficacy can be described as the belief in one’s ability to execute a plan in order to reach a goal. Furthermore, this value of self-efficacy improves confidence not only in the classroom but in the workplace or even at home. This outcome is important as inclusive teaching makes society more culturally diverse and productive when everyone can feel confident enough to put their talents to use (2). Maximized participation and an outgoing attitude are just some of the helpful effects that come out of putting inclusive teaching practices in place.

On a separate note, Anabel Moriña, a professor at the University of Seville who researches special education in higher education states in her article, “Inclusive education in higher education: challenges and opportunities” (published in the European Journal of Special Needs Education) that the number of students with disabilities attending higher education institutions increases every year (4). This increase is significant because the plans put in place to help students with disabilities are insufficient (5). They do not fully help make students feel accepted. Not only this, but students with disabilities are more likely to be discriminated against. Because of this, the rates at which disabled students drop out of these institutions are drastically higher than those without disabilities. For that reason, it is key that more inclusive practices are introduced to keep students in school. Introducing these practices will also provide equal opportunities for students where they can all develop their abilities and accept and understand diversity. Another reason for the importance of inclusion is that some disabled students feel as if they have to work twice as hard as able-bodied students because they have to handle both their education and disability. Implementing inclusive strategies like cooperative learning, independent practice, and getting to know students in a way where one might better understand their situation can give them some much-needed relief by taking that huge load off their backs. Some may argue that implementing these practices will only benefit students with disabilities, but in fact, non-disabled students will also benefit because these inclusive practices improve the classroom environment and thus the university itself (12). This is because students with disabilities are adaptable because they’ve had to deal with their disability their whole lives, which demonstrates their resilience. These characteristics, which are honed through inclusive teaching, teach students their worth and help them become valued members of society.

Lastly, Inclusive teaching is important because it provides all students with a more quality education that will see them perform academically better. When students are in an environment where they are all accepted and valued, it motivates them to work to their full capabilities. In their article, “Academic and Social Effects of Inclusion on Students without Disabilities: A Review of the Literature” (published in the journal, Education Sciences), Ayse Kart and Mehmet Kart, two professors from Ohio State University, demonstrate studies that students in inclusive teaching environments outperformed those in regular teaching environments (4). This research shows that there is a direct correlation between academic performance and inclusive teaching. Apart from this, students with disabilities in inclusive environments perform academically better in the sense that they develop better cognitive and motor skills. Performing academically better is an important result of inclusive teaching because it shows that students have the drive to succeed, which can help them in the future.

In the end, this research can explain why inclusive teaching practices in higher education classrooms are so important. These practices help students develop characteristics and skills, which can influence better environments for everyone as well as help them later when they graduate college. Inclusive teaching creates a better more understanding and accepting society, which is what everyone should strive for because when everyone can feel included, everyone can contribute.

Works cited

Dewsbury, Bryan, and Cynthia J. Brame. “Inclusive Teaching.” Lifescied, CBE—Life Sciences Education, 26 Apr. 2019, www.lifescied.org/doi/full/10.1187/cbe.19-01-0021.

Moriña, Anabel. “Inclusive Education in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities.” Taylor and Francis Online, European Journal of Special Needs Education, 23 Dec. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2016.1254964.

Moriña, Anabel. “Inclusive Education in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities.” Taylor and Francis Online, European Journal of Special Needs Education, 23 Dec. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2016.1254964.