Roma Pass

I'd prefer to have two shorter breaks (15 minutes)

I'd prefer to get only one longer break (30 minutes)

Defining “Inclusive Classroom” and “Diversity” in the context of the classroom.

Our Goals This Week:

Focus on projects and strategies to foster inclusivity

Building lessons that support equality and access to education for all learners

Supporting democratic and non-discriminatory values in the classroom

ICT Tools for Inclusivity and managing a multicultural classroom with students with varying educational needs.

Opportunities to tackle common issues in education through collaboration

Support students’ understanding of European values

Fostering a transnational perspective

Note the following definition of Inclusion via the EU: https://www.inclusion-europe.eu/education/#:~:text=Inclusion%20Europe%20demands%20that%20countries,given%20the%20support%20they%20need.

Also, the manual here as to promoting diversity in schools across the EU is very helpful for you: https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/publications/promoting-diversity-and-inclusion-schools-europe

let's watch the highlight video together!

Tell us about you! And share a photo of yourself, if you would like to. What subject(s) do you teach? What age levels do you teach? What would you most like to learn in this course? What do you like doing in your free time? Tell us anything about yourself that you consider relevant and interesting. Looking forward to meeting you.

Let's identify both challenges and rewards.

-How many of you have received training? Tell us about the experience.

Studies have shown equity-minded faculty are engaged while training does not reach faculty that are not already on the bandwagon – they remain uninspired.

Suggestions for getting everyone on board!

1) Alignment and Diversification: common definitions and common goals, but with an awareness that you have varied amounts of experiences and needs, and interests.

2) All In Model: all educators at all levels teaching all subjects have an active role in this initiative.

3) Open Discussion: this is a space for conversation and discussion. These conversations have very little finality.

4) Reflection: It is important to look in the mirror through a process of seeing bias, unlearning, and learning.

5) Big Picture: connect the micro level initiatives to a larger strategic plan

6) Make this focus a priority and connect it to multiple initatives.

Let's bust some myths about Assistive Technology!

Based on this Article:

https://www.edutopia.org/article/rethinking-assistive-technology

Group 1 = Myth 1 and 2

Group 2 = Myth 3 and 4

(Myth 5 we will discuss together)

Read your myths and answer the following questions about each.

1) Explain the misunderstanding about AT.

2) What is the problem with the misunderstanding?

3) Come up with an example of how technology can help in the situation described in the myth.

Need some ideas for tools to answer question number three? Consider what is suggested in this article: https://www.edutopia.org/article/f

Explore Radio garden here: https://radio.garden

Inviting different languages in activities can help multilingual students see the value in their primary language. Come up with one idea for how to use this resource with your students to support multiculturalism and a global perspective

1) Inclusive Physical Environment : flags, multilingual signs (including positive affirmations), maps, photos of students in their home countries

2) You are Welcome Here initiative: Check out the power of this simple but powerful hashtag: https://www.youarewelcomehereusa.org/

3) Take language learners on a tour of the school, introduce them to faculty, staff, or students who speak their language or have familiarity with their culture.

4) Organize conversation tables. This can be an informal lunchtime activity, where interested members of the school community join to practice conversation in a particular language. Set-up conversation topics and common vocabulary. Participants of all levels should be allowed to sit in.

5) Organize a welcome video to highlight the languages spoken in your school. See an example of one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp7XSOlr_j4

Have you thought about education resources at major newspapers? Take a few minutes to explore the above link to the NYT, and let's share something that caught your attention as a resource that you might use! Many of these tools can be a helpful conversation starter for even the most controversial topics in your classroom

Let me point you to "What's Going on in this Picture" for critical thinking and conversation

https://www.edutopia.org/video/green-screen-videos-bring-content-life/

This is a list of 12 free green screen apps: https://www.perfectcorp.com/consumer/blog/video-editing/best-green-screen-apps

Note: the video suggests Cromavid or Green Screen by Do Ink. For the base layer (the background image on which you have students overlay their video), you can use Photos for Class (these are not copyrighted and are free to use).

This short video on YouTube offers some tips to getting started making a presentation using Google Earth Projects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOZg0hWal4E

Google Earth also has many projects that you can use with students as found here: https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/earth/education/

Take a few minutes to explore the digital tours here at Google Earth: https://www.google.com/earth/about/gallery/ Based on what you saw, how could you use this resource with your students?

Note: capitalize on students interests!

*Consider that if there is a cultural or natural site that you want to visit, many curators, museum educators, rangers etc. are willing to call in virtually on platforms like Zoom, Skype etc.

I would suggest that you approach crafting your plan by answering the following questions.

1) Identify an initiative to prioritize. Why have you selected it?

2) Describe a project that you will create to support that initiative.

3) Identify the specific ICT tool that you will use in your project and how you will use it?

4) What is your timeline and the expected outcome? How is this change/addition going to benefit your students, your colleagues, and yourself?

Note: If you would rather focus on larger policy changes, that is fine too. It very much depends where you are in this process of implementing inclusion in your classrooms. Whatever you do, make it manageable and specific with a clear timeline and clear goals.

Also, if you want to stray from the above questions, that is absolutely fine. Remember, this time to plan is for your use!

If it is helpful for when we go around the room to share our ideas - feel free to answer these four questions in the "Share" section of Padlet.

How has your understanding of diversity and inclusive education changed?

Describe one new strategy you plan to use in your classroom.