Inclusive Education: Supporting Students with SEN

Course Objectives

• To provide participants with a solid understanding of the principles of inclusive education and support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
• To present practical strategies for adapting teaching to meet diverse student needs.
• To promote the use of approaches such as differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• To equip educators with tools to create inclusive, equitable, and participatory learning environments.
• To encourage collaboration between teachers, families, and other professionals in supporting students with SEN.

Schedule

Module 1 – Inclusive Education: Principles and Global Perspectives

• Core concepts and values of inclusion in education.
• Historical evolution of inclusive education and key international frameworks (UNESCO, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).
• Benefits of inclusion for academic achievement, social-emotional development, and school communities.
• The role of teachers as agents of change in promoting inclusive practices.

Module 2 – Understanding Students with Special Education Needs (SEN)

• Overview of diverse SEN profiles: learning disabilities, sensory impairments, neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia), behavioural and emotional challenges.
• Strength-based approaches: recognising talents and potential in every learner.
• Common barriers to participation and strategies to reduce them.
• The importance of early support and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Module 3 – Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction

• The UDL framework: multiple means of engagement, representation and action/expression.
• Differentiation strategies for content, process, product, and learning environment.
• Designing flexible, inclusive lesson plans that cater to varied needs.
• Real examples of lesson adaptations for specific SEN profiles.

Module 4 – Inclusive Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practices

• Active learning approaches that promote participation and equity.
• Peer-assisted learning, cooperative structures, and buddy systems.
• Positive behaviour support and social-emotional learning strategies.
• Practical tools for scaffolding, visual supports, and multisensory learning.

Module 5 – Digital Inclusion and Assistive Technologies

• Accessible educational technologies for diverse learners.
• Tools for text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and adapted materials.
• Using apps and platforms to foster engagement and accessibility.
• Creating inclusive digital content for hybrid and online learning.

Module 6 – Inclusive Assessment and Feedback

• Rethinking assessment: from grading to growth-focused evaluation.
• Inclusive formative assessment methods adapted to SEN learners.
• Designing flexible rubrics and alternative tasks for fair evaluation.
• Involving students in self-assessment and goal-setting.

Module 7 – Building Collaborative Support Systems

• Effective collaboration with families and caregivers.
• Working with multidisciplinary teams (psychologists, therapists, SEN coordinators).
• Co-teaching and collaborative planning models for inclusion.
• International case studies of successful inclusive education initiatives.

Module 8 – Designing an Inclusive Project or Lesson

• Framework for planning and implementing inclusive teaching practices.
• Selecting appropriate strategies, tools, and resources for SEN learners.
• Creating flexible objectives, activities, and assessments.
• Peer review and collaborative refinement of participants’ projects.

Module 9 – Reflection, Implementation and Sustainability

• Key takeaways for developing inclusive school cultures.
• Creating action plans for practical implementation in participants’ own schools.
• Strategies for overcoming barriers to inclusion and ensuring long-term impact.
• Building professional networks and communities of practice to sustain inclusive efforts.