About This Course
National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education NCFTE, 2009 states, "Inclusive Education refers to a philosophical position and an arrangement of institutional facilities and processes. The aim is to create an integrated school setting providing equal opportunities to children with different abilities, varied social backgrounds and diverse learning needs” (NCTE, 2009, p. 13).
The philosophical position of this course is to value every individual and ensure equitable learning opportunities are provided for all. It also considers the broader concept of inclusion, from a focus on disability to celebrating diversity which includes a range of students’ abilities at one end of the spectrum to the gifted and talented at the other.
The course is based on the 2-credit Reflective Teaching for Inclusion (E-14) certificate course. It will enable teachers to create inclusive learning environments by equipping them with professional dispositions and skills, besides conceptual knowledge, to address exclusion of all forms. The course focuses on developing strategies and frameworks for classroom inclusion and provides opportunities to reflect critically on participant’s beliefs and biases in a non-threatening atmosphere.
The completion of the course will lead to receiving two Digital Badges.
Course Objectives
- To provide an overview of historical, philosophical and legal underpinnings of inclusive education
- To critically reflect on beliefs and biases with a social justice perspective.
- To enable design and creation of inclusive learning environments.
- To develop and adapt practices for supporting diverse learning needs.
Who can join the course
- * Student Teachers currently enrolled in B.Ed (General/ Special Education) or M.Ed programmes.
- Has paid the fees for the course or the programme. (Cohort based supported by Cognizant Foundation)
Course Staff
Prof. Mythili Ramchand
Academic and the Co-Chairperson of the Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education (CETE) located at TISS Mumbai Campus. With a passion for education, Prof Ramchand has dedicated her research career to exploring the philosophy of education, initial teacher preparation, and inclusive education from a social justice perspective. Her research has spanned over a dozen studies, including Evaluation/Impact assessment of large-scale Government/NGO-driven projects in elementary schools.
Dr Sonia Sawhney
An Assistant Professor with the TISS-Azim Premji School of Education at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad, since 2013. Her research interests include inclusive education and special educational needs, equity and social justice, child rights and socio-emotional well-being in schools. She pursues these interests by researching, teaching, publishing, conducting workshops and developing curriculum. Before moving to TISS, she worked as a teacher educator, an English and Social Science teacher and a junior headmistress at the primary school level.
Dr. Mrunalini Venugopalan
Assistant Professor (SG) at the Dept. of Special Education, Avinashilingam Institute, Coimbatore. She is a dedicated and passionate Special Educator with a commendable track record in the field of special education. With a strong academic background in Special Education (B. Sc., B. Ed., M. Ed Special Education, M. R. Sc( Rehabilitation Science), Ph.D in Special Education)and a strong commitment to serving the needs of differently-abled students, Dr. Mrunalini brings in a holistic approach to education, focusing individual learning needs and creating inclusive learning environments. She believes in creating happy environments for the students to facilitate learning
