The right to education should apply to all children irrespective of their capabilities. Inclusive classrooms afford an inclusive setting in which the special needs student can study with his or her fellow students and create an atmosphere of receptiveness and collaboration and equal opportunity. Team teaching is one of the effective ways of ensuring that there is successful integration of special needs.
Team teaching is whereby there are many teachers in one classroom facilitating them to help all students particularly those with special needs. The model gives children with disabilities an opportunity to attend mainstream education but with specialized help that suits the needs.
In this article, we are going to understand the idea of team teaching, its advantages, problems, and best practices that would concern the success of students with special needs in an inclusive classroom.
Knowing How to Teach Teams in Inclusive Classrooms
Team teaching method refers to collaboration of two or more teachers within a group tasked with giving instruction to a group of students. The use of the method is particularly helpful in the inclusive classrooms, where students with disabilities study together with their peers.
Inclusive education is founded on another principle that every student, irrespective of his/her physical, thinking or emotional needs, has the right to an equal opportunity to receive quality education. Through team teaching, the instructor will establish balance between the wide variation of student needs, as well as encouragement and involvement.
Types of Group Instruction
The models of team teaching, which can be modified to accommodate inclusive classrooms, are a number of them:
- Parallel Teaching– The classroom is divided into smaller sections whereby each instructor trains separate sections of the groups. This style will make the students get more attention.
- Station Teaching– The students are moved to various learning stations and each is under the supervision of a different teacher. This assists in dividing lessons in manageable parts and keeping students attentive.
- Alternative Teaching– The first teacher focuses his or her attention on an entire group whereas the other teacher focuses on the fewer students, who require extra assistance. The students with disabilities who need special attention are also put under this model.
- Co-Teaching -This means that the two teachers are co- teachers who actively lead lessons and take part in instruction equally. This will foster teamwork and make the learning process more rich.
All of the models have their own benefits, and they can be customized, according to the needs of students, classroom environment, and teacher experience.
Team Teaching’s Advantages for Integrating Special Needs
- Increased Focus on Individuals
When there are more than one teacher in the classroom, it will mean that students will learn more to do with personalization. Educators will be able to supervise the progress of the students closely and adjust their practices.
- Improved Possibilities for Learning
Special needs students can be able to enjoy all aspects of the mainstream education yet they are supported by specialized activities. This makes learning to be balanced without lonely students.
- Improved Interaction Between Peers
Integrated classes assist in forming friendships among disabled and non-disabled enrolled students. This increases empathy, respect and understanding, creating a more accepting society.
- Less Work for Teachers
It may be too much to handle and address different needs of learning by a single teacher. Team instruction also separates duties and enables the educators to concentrate on the activities of the students instead of focusing on administration.
- Adaptability in Instructional Strategies
There are various styles of teaching that can be introduced with the presence of several educators. This assists to accommodate different learning skills such that none of the students should fail to understand something.
- Improved Classroom Administration
Sharing tasks allows the teachers to discipline the students with ease and easily conduct activities in the classroom environment. The special needs students will also demand extra attention and this becomes a smooth task when there are more teachers.
Implementing Team Teaching for Special Needs Integration Presents Problems
- Inadequate Instruction
Most of the teachers have not been taught on special educative methods or techniques of teaching jointly. Educators might not work as a team unless they are well prepared.
- Scarce Resources
Special tools, technology and learning materials are necessary in inclusive education. Most schools do not have enough funds to offer the required materials and it is therefore difficult to make team teaching work.
- Various Methods of Instruction
Every educator is an individual in the way he teaches. Integration of various styles of teaching presupposes high levels of communication and flexibility so that no conflicts and misunderstanding arise.
- Behavioral Issues with Students
There are certain students with disabilities who will have some behavioral difficulties, and as a result they will need even more support and patience. Lack of proper classroom management strategies results in disturbances in the learning process provoked by such difficulties.
- Obstacles in Administration
Difficulties associated with school policies, clashes with schedule, and logistic issues may render coordination among teachers tricky. Administrative support and cooperation is necessary in implementing structural changes.
Top Strategies for Using Team Teaching to Successfully Integrate Students with Special Needs
- Cooperation and Interaction
- Instruction That Is Differentiated
- Techniques for Classroom Management
- Ongoing Professional Growth
- Community and Parent Involvement
- Assistive Technology Use
Conclusion
Inclusive education is very essential as all children need to be provided with learning experiences that can be of quality. Understanding Team teaching and learning: Team teaching is quite important towards inclusion of students with special needs in general classes as it helps in offering personal assistance to the students and also establishes a collaborative atmosphere of learning.
Despite all the difficulties, with appropriate training, planning, and cooperation, it is possible to get through all the barriers and develop a good system of special needs integration. The implementation of best practices will help the teachers to realize the students with the necessary attention and care so as to eventually succeed in their schooling, as well as in their personal life.