The Study Method as a key to Inclusive Education
Written by Annalisa Sartor, SEN Specialist
Inclusive education represents an educational approach aimed at ensuring that all students, regardless of their differences, experience meaningful and lasting learning. This approach demands a continuous commitment from schools to design programs tailored to each student, respecting their individual characteristics, potential, and challenges. In a classroom with students of varying aptitudes and abilities, teachers play a critical role in guiding each individual along a personalized path, fostering collaboration and collective growth rather than competition. An inclusive school environment should be a community where every student feels valued. In this setting, even those with vulnerabilities can interact with peers without feeling judged or excluded. This transforms the school into a space for personal growth and fulfillment, where differences are not obstacles but resources that contribute to the continuous exchange of ideas and knowledge.
The Pillars of Inclusive Education
How can inclusive education be achieved?
The key lies in adopting a study method structured around four fundamental principles:
- Planning
Careful planning of teaching activities is essential to meet the needs of every student. Innovation and flexibility are indispensable tools for ensuring accessible and engaging learning experiences. - Collaboration
Inclusive education is the result of synergistic work among teachers, families, students, and school administrators. Only through shared commitment can the educational system be transformed methodologically, culturally, and organizationally. - Emotions and Relationships
Interpersonal relationships and emotional support are crucial for educational success. Teachers are responsible for supporting and encouraging every student, fostering an atmosphere of trust and empathy. - Effectiveness
Educational strategies should promote cooperative and reflective learning, emphasizing social and emotional skills alongside cognitive abilities. This helps create a calm and productive environment for everyone.
The Study Method as a Compensatory Tool
The study method thus becomes a central element in supporting inclusion. It allows students to develop organizational, reflective, and self-management skills for their learning. Through targeted activities, students can be assisted in:
- Organizing study materials;
- Effectively using textbooks, maps, and diagrams;
- Utilizing digital tools to facilitate learning;
- Applying metacognitive strategies to “learn how to learn.”
These skills are vital not only for overcoming challenges but also for flexibly tackling the demands of various academic disciplines.
Experiential Learning and Edgar Dale’s Pyramid
The proposed study method is based on experiential learning, where action and experimentation are essential tools for acquiring knowledge. Edgar Dale’s Learning Pyramid demonstrates that active learning, which directly involves students, is far more effective than passive methods. For instance, activities like simulations, practical workshops, and discussions stimulate deeper cognitive processes and foster the development of transversal skills, such as problem-solving and emotional management.
An Inclusive Project for All
The enhancement process is not designed solely for students facing difficulties but benefits the entire class. Collaboration between teachers and parents is essential for the success of this process, which includes opportunities for sharing and dialogue among all educational stakeholders. At H-FARM International School Rosà, the study method is offered as an extracurricular activity, guiding students on a learning journey tailored to their needs. In this way, students gain self-confidence and develop a strong sense of responsibility, enabling them to face academic challenges with seriousness and commitment.
For a school to be truly inclusive, it must have the courage to confront its challenges, recognize its limitations, and respond with concrete actions of care and attention toward every student. Only through an empathetic and personalized approach can an environment be created where every student can grow and reach their potential.
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