Empowering Educators to Create Inclusive Learning Environments

28/06/2023

In October 2023, the Future Classroom Lab will hold a course designed to support teachers who work with students who come from different socio-economic and language backgrounds or have physical or learning difficulties. Titled “Cultivating Inclusive Learning Environments”, the course will give a hands-on approach to help participants develop their own ideas about inclusive learning and the effective use of technology.

Inclusivity is a fundamental principle of education that emphasizes the importance of providing education to all students, regardless of their background or ability. Inclusive education ensures that students with diverse abilities and needs can access quality education, participate fully in the learning process, and achieve their full potential. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to create inclusive learning environments that provide all students with equal opportunities to learn and succeed.

According to UNESCO (2009), inclusive education is considered to be “an ongoing process aimed at offering quality education for all while respecting diversity and the different needs and abilities, characteristics and learning expectations of the students and communities, eliminating all forms of discrimination”.

Inclusive education is therefore considered as a process where children are educated in a way that benefits all students and provides the participation of all. This includes students with different social, cultural and economic backgrounds as well as students with physical disabilities and cognitive delays. The inclusive approach does not encourage students to fit into mainstream education; on the contrary, the school changes to accommodate the needs of all. Therefore, it accepts the diversity of students and uses different techniques to benefit every student.

Inclusion is considered to be the best option to eliminate labels and barriers.

This poses the questions: Are teachers prepared to create environments that support learners with diverse abilities? Do they have the means to adapt their teaching methods to all students’ needs? What kind of support do they need and who is best prepared to provide them with this support? And last but not least, what role can technology play in this process? In what way can the introduction of ICT tools in teaching and learning support the creation of more inclusive classroom environments?

Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the Future Classroom Lab has always been committed to supporting the teachers’ community across Europe in meeting the challenges of the future with a particular focus on the role that technology and digital solutions can play in improving teaching and learning for both teachers and learners. With this course, we aim to support educators in gaining the skills needed to navigate the student environments of the future and explore how technology can be used to support children with diverse abilities on their learning journeys.

Find all course and registration details here.