Diversity is our strength
Inclusive education: Diversity is our strength
- 01 - Education
1. Student-centered course design
The project presented consists of a comprehensive cycle of student-centred courses for university students (both Bachelor and Master). The aim of the courses is, firstly, to 1) improve key study skills and thus increase the academic success of the participants, who are both students with and without special needs. The aim is to develop skills such as effective time management, coping with stressful situations and strengthening physical and psychological resilience. The second aim is to 2) make participants more sensitive to and respectful of the differences of others, but also to embrace their own differences. The course environment is therefore highly inclusive, as in addition to the groups of students already mentioned, the course is open to students of different genders, ages, religions, ethnicities, fields of study and faculties. Participation in the courses contributes to strengthening students' autonomy, self-confidence and overall subjective satisfaction. The optional nature of these courses allows them to be integrated into the curriculum, making support an integral part of the educational process. Elective courses are open to both students with and without special needs, and both groups of students can benefit from the interaction: a different perspective on the world, seen through a different lens, can become the basis for further reflection not only on the world, but also on themselves. This can shape their attitudes and sensitise them, which is beneficial not only to their own personalities but also to their future teaching profession. In terms of inclusivity, awareness and respect for differences, the project has an impact on 1) students with special needs, 2) students without special needs, 3) their future pupils, students or colleagues. The course design is student-centred and allows students to study according to their individual needs (face-to-face, online, etc.). As part of the project, the following activities (elective courses) have been implemented in the curriculum from 2020. Regular: How to manage university studies (every winter term) Managing study demands and mental balance (every spring term) Irregular: Yoga for students with disadvantages Children's well-being and mental health
Methodology
Tools, equipment, technology used
Outcomes and outputs, main results
Lessons learnt
Adaptability and sustainability of the best practice (for other institutions)
Promotion of best practice
Scope and impact
- Faculty level
- Institutional level
6.1 Digitalization
- NOT RELEVANT
Reasoning:
6.2 Internationalization
- NOT RELEVANT
Reasoning:
6.3 Inclusion and diversity, universal design
- Inclusive course design, universally designed divers activities to meet special students' needs
- Alternative, flexible assessment methods for students with special needs
- Senzitivizing students to consider special needs when practicing their profession
- Course includes hints on how the services/products of the profession could be universally designed/inclusive
Reasoning: The courses are designed to be accessible to everyone and the methods used in the courses are universally designed to meet different needs. The courses are conducted according to the possibilities of the participants – in person but also hybrid/online if required. An individual approach is taken towards each student, these courses can be completed in an individual term. Students with different needs and abilities meet, work together and learn from each other's perspectives, making them more sensitive to each other and to their future pupils and students in their profession.
6.4 Sustainability
- NOT RELEVANT
Reasoning:
3.3 Public contact datas
Name | Email address | Website |
---|---|---|
doc. PhDr. PaedDr. Anna Kucharská, Ph.D. | anna.kucharska@pedf.cuni.cz | https://pages.pedf.cuni.cz/poradna/ |