Empowering Teachers and Students with Instructional Choices in Inclusive Settings

APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION IN CLASSROOMS WITH DIVERSE LEARNERS REQUIRES A VARIETY OF INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. MANY EDUCATORS, HOWEVER, FIND THEMSELVES PHILOSOPHICALLY TIED TO ONE INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH FOR EVERY LEARNER TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHER APPROACHES. THIS ALLEGIANCE TO ONE METHOD OF TEACHING REDUCES CHOICES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. STRICT ADHERENCE TO A LIMITED VIEW OF LEARNING CAN ALSO HINDER INCLUSION EFFORTS BY DENYING SOME STUDENTS APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION. A CONTINUUM OF TEACHING METHODS THAT INCLUDES “EXPLICIT” AND “IMPLICIT” INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACHES IS PROPOSED AS A MORE INCLUSIVE ALTERNATIVE. RESEARCH THAT SUPPORTS A CONTINUUM OF APPROACHES IS REPORTED ALONG WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION AND TEACHER EDUCATION.