Inclusive Practice in Action: Hearts, Heads, Hands

Alves, I. and Boath, L. (2023) Inclusive Practice in Action: Hearts, Heads, Hands. Successful Learning Conference 2023, Sydney, Australia, 26-27 June 2023.

Abstract

Based on Rouse’s framework (2008), the presenters will consider how three key aspects of inclusive practice have been implemented in their home country of Scotland: the personal and professional stance (heart); the policy framework and teacher knowledge (head); and the actual pedagogical practice (hands). They will show how classroom practitioners might bring these aspects together to move forward with inclusive practice in their own settings. 'The heart' – practitioners' thoughts about inclusion and inclusive practice have been well-researched internationally. In Scotland, the teaching standards focus on values and positionality and inclusion. 'The head' – the knowledge of policies, the context and inclusive pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning. In Scotland, the national legislation is based on principles of inclusive curriculum design and teaching, such as planning the curriculum with relevance to the learners in a specific context; appropriate challenge and enjoyment, personalisation, and choice; and the requirement to meet the needs of all learners. 'The ‘hands’ – for inclusive practice to take place, practitioners need to: believe they can and should do it, and to have the knowledge to implement inclusive practices have the opportunity to critically reflect on their contexts and practices (for example, by collaborating with others, and engaging in practitioner enquiry and with pupil voice). Presentation attendees will be given the opportunity to engage with the Scottish National Framework for Inclusion which, through a set of questions, encourages educators to critically reflect on their personal and professional stances as well as on their pedagogical practices. The presenters will share this framework as part of their argument that for inclusive practice to succeed, practitioners must consider the big questions surrounding education, diversity, and inclusion. Attendees will be given the chance to examine the ideas of 'heart', 'head', and 'hands' in relation to their own contexts.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Keywords: Inclusion, inclusive practice, teacher education.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Boath, Dr Lauren and Alves, Dr Ines
• Authors: Alves, I., and Boath, L.
• Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith

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