FOUNDATIONS

OF SPECIAL AND
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

MODULE

Prepared By:

Rhexem Greg R. Llasos, RN, LPT, MEM

INSTRUCTOR
 Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education
Module 1

INTRODUCTION
TO SPECIAL AND
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

At the end of this Module, you will be able to:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding about different
theories, principles of special and inclusive education

• Acquire deeper analysis on diversity as a key component of

special and inclusive education through a multiple-choice
virtual test.

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 Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education
Module 1

Introduction
Hello everyone! Welcome to our blended learning class. In this cluster, one of your
subjects in the list is Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education. We will begin
our course in the first part of the cluster lesson – understanding the basics of
inclusive and special education and learning about the importance of diversity.
Now, let us begin!

Let us connect how diversity played a major role in special and inclusive
education. We will now proceed with learning about diversity and its significance.

Understanding Diversity

The word “diversity” comes from the Latin for “facing both ways”, and “divers” or
“diverse” in English has meant “various” since the 13th century. (Also “several” or
“sundry”, and at one time “wicked” or “perverse”.) These days, of course,
“diversity” can also mean a variety of ethnic, sexual and other identities. Diversity
is defined as understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our
individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious
beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Diversity widens viewpoints and takes different ideas and perspectives into
account. This can translate into creating richer solutions, obtaining better results
and maximizing productivity, innovation and creativity. It is important to value
diversity because: people build a stronger sense of identity and wellbeing, and
have better education and career outcomes when their diverse strengths,
abilities, interests and perspectives are understood and supported.

WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY?

The dimensions of diversity include gender, religious beliefs, race, martial status,
ethnicity, parental status, age, education, physical and mental ability, income,
sexual orientation, occupation, language, geographic location, and many more
components. Learning about other cultures helps us understand different
perspectives within the world in which we live. So that as we interact with others
we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding across cultures.
Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more interesting place to live in.

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4 types of diversity

There are four different types of diversity: internal, external, organizational, and
worldview—and you should aim to represent them all. Keep reading to learn more
about each one and how diversity affects the workplace. Diversity doesn't equal
culture. Diversity includes all the differences that exist in people. Primary diversity
dimensions are things that individuals typically cannot alter: age, race, sexual
orientation, gender, ethnicity, and physical abilities/qualities.

Internal Diversity is related to what a person is born into. These demographics are
something a person is born with, and are a part of one’s inner concept of
self. Examples of internal diversity include race, ethnicity, age, nation of origin,
gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical ability. While these are personal
factors, they tie directly to the 30 rights in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. A student should not be subject to any workplace discrimination or
unconscious bias related to these personal statuses.

External Diversity is about the characteristics a person is heavily influenced by.

These are demographics that a person has the option to change through external
action. Examples of external diversity include education, personal experiences,
socioeconomic status, spirituality, religion, citizenship, geographic location, or
family status. It’s important to note that while these external diversity types have
the ability to be changed, often they can be difficult to change due to economic
or political systems put in place. An example of how schools can foster diversity in
the class room is by honoring different cultural needs of each enrolled students.

Organizational Diversity is about having a diverse work environment positively

impacting the entire organization. These factors belong to the work we do or the
organizations where we work. Examples of organizational diversity include job
function, management status, seniority, department, or different committee
affiliations. Organizational diversity is important because of its impact on
educational institutes. Every level of the organization requires diversity to improve
overall productivity within an organization. This means every job function and
department is staffed with a variety of people from different backgrounds.

Worldview Diversity is about the diverse perspective of every individual, race and
culture about the world. Each of our world views is different and shaped by our
past experiences. Events in our life affect our worldview diversity on a day-to-day
basis. Examples of world view diversity can come from cultural events, political
beliefs, knowledge of history, and one’s outlook on life. As organizations increase
their workplace diversity, they may find many employees will have different world
views and experiences that may not feel relatable to their peers.

What is the diversity wheel?

The Diversity Wheel gives an overview of the dimensions of diversity that are
present and active in one’s workplace or environment. It consists of four layers of
diversity (personality, internal, external and organizational levels) through which
stimuli, information and experience are processed by all of us. "The Diversity Wheel
is useful in explaining how group-based differences contribute to individual
identities." However, as the diversity conversation shifts from a U.S. context to a
more global one, it is important to remember that other cultures place different
emphasis on certain dimensions

Marilyn Loden's Implementing Diversity is the diversity wheel created to help

'initiate conversations about similarities and differences that cross societal and
cultural boundaries. It is depicted as concentric circles, this “Diversity Wheel” can

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 Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education
Module 1

be used in many different ways to encourage thinking about values, beliefs, and
dimensions of identity for people and organizations. What is the purpose of Loden's
diversity wheel? It is useful in explaining how group-based differences contribute
to individual identities." However, as the diversity conversation shifts from an
American context to a more global one, it is important to remember that other
cultures place different emphasis on certain dimensions.

Loden’s Wheel of Diversity is illustrated below:

Now, let us watch a video clip provided in the link below to listen to a lecture
about Loden’s Wheel of Diversity. Please click the link below and watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6BqBImrhW8&t=256s

Ability and disability as a dimension of diversity

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Module 1

Students vary in what they can and cannot do and wants to make sure that as teachers,
we support all our students regardless of their varied abilities and disabilities. Everyone
has strengths and challenges. A person's ability is the resources to perform well at
something. For example, one of your students has a very analytical mind. Its analytical
thinking skills are an ability a major asset of the school.

On the other hand, a person's disability is the limits or challenges he or she faces. For
example, another student is deaf and therefore, he or she faces certain challenges in the
school that others might not face. A disability does not mean that a person is not able to
perform a task or do a job. It only means that they face certain limitations or
challenges. That is why ability and disability is another form of diversity to be
acknowledged as present in schools.

Special and Inclusive Education

Inclusive and special education provide educational services for all students
including those with special needs. This type of education serve all students in the
regular classroom. If a student requires extra services such as speech therapy,
these services are brought into the classroom. Allowing students both abled,
disabled and special to be equally given the right to education.

Special and Inclusive education aims to mainstream students with special needs in a
flexible learning environment for acquiring quality education that optimizes their
potential for holistic development. This goal depends upon teachers who can attain
inclusivity in the educational system by shaping positive values, providing knowledge,
and developing the skills of exceptional students to cope with life's challenges.

Historical, Sociocultural and Philosophical Foundations and Legal Basis of Special and
Inclusive Education

To understand more about the different ideologies, basis and foundations of establishing
special and inclusive education, let us watch a video lecture about the said topic. Please
click the link provided below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk381T91FzA

Learning in Progress 1

A three-day open-time access multiple choice examination will be given by the end
of the week via google classroom. A link will be forwarded in your classroom group
chat to access the said examination. 5
 Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education
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Additional Web-Based References:

Diversity poster - nieonline. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2022, from

https://nieonline.com/sentinel/downloads/curricula/diversity_poster.pdf

Guest. (n.d.). Module in in foundation of Special and Inclusive Education. pdfcoffee.com.

Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://pdfcoffee.com/module-in-in-foundation-of-
special-and-inclusive-education--pdf-free.html

IIER: Issues in educational research. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2022, from
https://iier.org.au/iier31/dela-fuente.pdf

Nora. (2021, October 29). FAQ: What is Loden's diversity wheel? Kitchen. Retrieved
March 31, 2022, from https://theinfinitekitchen.com/faq/faq-what-is-lodens-
diversity-wheel/

What is the use of Loden's Diversity Wheel? (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2022, from
https://moviecultists.com/what-is-the-use-of-lodens-diversity-wheel