Retrieved from Vol. 27, No. 2, 2024
Pages 73 -84
Received 05.09.2024
Revised 01.12.2024
Accepted 26.12.2024
Retrieved from Vol. 27, No. 2, 2024
Pages 73 -84
Abstract
The study aimed to address the adaptation of didactic methods for children with special educational needs in the context of inclusive education. The methodology included document analysis, comparison of teaching methods, observation of children’s interaction with the adapted materials, and statistical analysis of the data. The study analysed statistics from the Albanian Ministry of Education on the number of children with special needs, the level of their integration into mainstream schools, and the provision of adapted teaching materials to schools. The analysis of educational standards and international recommendations, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UNESCO principles, was used to assess the role of regulatory documents in the development of inclusive education. Eight criteria covering objectives, structure, compliance with international standards and innovation were used to evaluate documents related to the adaptation of methods for children with special needs. Based on this assessment, the strengths and weaknesses of each document were identified, which became the basis for developing recommendations for improving inclusive education. The results of the study demonstrated the effectiveness of adapted didactic methods for children with special needs in different countries. Methods based on inclusive technologies, multisensory approach and differentiated learning provide a more accessible perception of the material and improve the learning process. Visual and tactile materials, as well as interactive technologies, contribute to the development of students with special needs and increase their activity in the learning process. The results also confirmed the need for further adaptation of educational programmes to ensure equal opportunities for all students. The practical significance of the study is determined by the improvement of methods and resources for teaching children with special needs
Keywords:
pupil development; adaptation of learning; teaching methods; socialisation of children; complete education[1] Alonzo Rezabala, M.E., & Villafuerte Holguín, J.S. (2019). Adaptations for teaching children with special educational needs in ESL context. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 8(1), 121-134. doi: 10.11114/ijsss.v8i1.4668.
[2] American Montessori Society. (2024). Montessori elementary programs. Retrieved from https://amshq.org/About- Montessori/Inside-the-Montessori-Classroom/Elementary.
[3] Avramidis, E., Toulia, A., Tsihouridis, C., & Stroglios, V. (2019). Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion and their self-efficacy for inclusive practices as predictors of willingness to implement peer tutoring. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 19(1), 49-59. doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12477.
[4] Bushati, A. (2021). Neglected children within classrooms or selective-teacher-attention in Albania: A call for action addressing learning opportunity. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 26(10), 46-55. doi: 10.9790/0837- 2610084655.
[5] Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol. (2006, December). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf.
[6] Estevez Arias, Y., Sanchez Valdes, X., & Torres Hernandez, Y. (2022). Training teachers: Challenges in front of curriculum adaptation and inclusive education. Mendive, 20(3), 1051-1069.
[7] Fernández-Batanero, J.M., Montenegro-Rueda, M., & Fernández-Cerero, J. (2022). Are primary education teachers trained for the use of technology with disabled students?. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 17, article number 19. doi: 10.1186/s41039-022-00195-x.
[8] Hassani, S., Aroni, K., Toulia, A., Alves, S., Görel, G., Löper, M.F., Avramidis, E., Silveira-Maia, M., Sanches-Ferreira, M.M., Hellmich, F., Schwab, S., & Resch, K. (2020). School-based interventions to support student participation: A comparison of different approaches. Vienna: University of Vienna. doi: 10.25365/phaidra.147.
[9] Hellmich, F., & Loeper, M.F. (2019). Children’s attitudes towards peers with learning disabilities – the role of perceived parental behaviour, contact experiences and self-efficacy beliefs. British Journal of Special Education, 46(2), 157-179. doi: 10.1111/1467-8578.12259.
[10] Hellmich, F., Löper, M.F., & Görel, G. (2019). The role of primary school teachers’ attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs for everyday practices in inclusive classrooms – a study on the verification of the “theory of planned behaviour”. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 19(1), 36-48. doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12476.
[11] Hnoievska, O., Omelchenko, I., Kobylchenko, V., & Klyap, M. (2022). Subjects adaptation techniques for primary school pupils with special educational needs. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 11(6), 100-112. doi: 10.5430/jct. v11n6p100.
[12] Juvonen, J., Lessard, L.M., Rastogi, R., Schacter, H.L., & Smith, D.S. (2019). Promoting social inclusion in educational settings: Challenges and opportunities. Educational Psychologist, 54(4), 250-270. doi: 10.1080/00461520.2019.1655645.
[13] Lindner, K-T., Hassani, S., Schwab, S., Gerdenitsch, C., Kopp-Sixt, S., & Holzinger, A. (2022). Promoting factors of social inclusion of students with special educational needs: Perspectives of parents, teachers, and students. Frontiers in Education, 7, article number 773230. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2022.773230.
[14] Mithans, M., Zurc, J., & Ivanuš Grmek, M. (2024). Perceptions of didactic strategies among pupils and teachers in primary school. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 14(1), 225-246. doi: 10.26529/cepsj.1491.
[15] Odom, S.L., et al. (2021). Educational interventions for children and youth with autism: A 40-year perspective. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(12), 4354-4369. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-04990-1.
[16] Paseka, A., & Schwab, S. (2020). Parents’ attitudes towards inclusive education and their perceptions of inclusive teaching practices and resources. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 35(3), 254-272. doi: 10.1080/08856257.2019.1665232.
[17] Perlaza Rodríguez, M.K. (2020). Didactic guide of curricular adaptation aimed to students with mild cognitive impairments. International Congress on the Didactics of the English Language, 3(1).
[18] Rademaker, F., de Boer, A., Kupers, E., & Minnaert, A. (2020). Applying the contact theory in inclusive education: A systematic review on the impact of contact and information on the social participation of students with disabilities. Frontiers in Education, 5, article number 602414. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2020.602414.
[19] Rodriguez Sandoval, M.T., Bernal Oviedo, G.M., & Rodriguez-Torres, M.I. (2022). From preconceptions to concept: The basis of a didactic model designed to promote the development of critical thinking. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 3, article number 100207. doi: 10.1016/j.ijedro.2022.100207.
[20] Sklavaki, D. (2022). Study of the effectiveness of special education teachers on the promotion and implementation of integration practices. Open Access Library Journal, 9, article number e9029. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1109029.
[21] Temiz, Z., & Parlak-Rakap, A. (2023). Getting ready for inclusion through adaptation activities. Elementary Education Online, 17(3), 1738-1750. doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2018.466428.
[22] Then, D., & Pohlmann-Rother, S. (2024) Adaptivity in the inclusive transition to school. Frontiers in Education, 8, article number 1304918. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1304918.
[23] Tjernberg, C., & Forsling, K. (2023). Teachers’ perspectives on supportive and inclusive practices: A study of four schools with diverse literacy practices. Nordic Journal of Literacy Research, 9(2), 77-98. doi: 10.23865/njlr.v9.3610.
[24] UNESCO. (2020). Towards inclusion in education: Status, trends and challenges: The UNESCO Salamanca Statement 25 years on. Paris: UNESCO. doi: 10.54675/ASIM9654.
[25] UNESCO. (2024). Inclusion in education: Leaving no learner behind. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/ inclusion-education.
[26] Van den Berg, Y.H., & Stoltz, S. (2018). Enhancing social inclusion of children with externalizing problems through classroom seating arrangements: A randomized control trial. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 26(1), 31- 41. doi: 10.1177/1063426617740561.
[27] Wåger, J., & Bagger, A. (2024). Didactic dimensions of teaching content for and with students with intellectual disabilities (ID): A scoping review. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 40(1), 53-68. doi: 10.1080/08856257.2024.2323250.
[28] Woodgate, R.L., Gonzalez, M., Demczuk, L., Snow, W.M., Barriage, S., & Kirk, S. (2020). How do peers promote social inclusion of children with disabilities? A mixed-methods systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(18), 2553-2579. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1561955.
[29] World Vision. (2018). Child disability in Albania: Disability prevalence, access to services, and quality of services. Retrieved from https://www.wvi.org/sites/default/files/PV%20FINAL_ENG.pdf.
[30] Wullschleger, A., Garrote, A., Schnepel, S., Jaquiéry, L., & Moser Opitz, E. (2020). Effects of teacher feedback behavior on social acceptance in inclusive elementary classrooms: Exploring social referencing processes in a natural setting. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, article number 101841. doi: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101841.