Equality
and diversity, or multiculturalism, is the idea of promoting and accepting the
differences between people. More specifically, equality is about ensuring
individuals are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their race, gender,
age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Diversity is about recognising
and respecting these differences to create an all-inclusive atmosphere.
Promoting equality and diversity in education is essential for both teachers
and pupils. The aim is to create a classroom environment where all students can
thrive together and understand that individual characteristics make people
unique and not ‘different’ in a negative way.
Within
the Irish educational system there is a great deal of diversity within each
setting. It is the role of management and staff to ensure to embrace this
diversity and to encourage pupils to interact in an inclusive environment for
all. Through this pupils become informed citizens acknowledging and accepting
other races, religions, genders and disabilities. It is paramount that each
educational setting implement practices which support equality and diversity
while offering a holistic educational experience for all.
SEN
Inclusive practice is a key element within
mainstream art, craft and design education in the twenty-first century where
offering an equal opportunity for all. Promoting diversity within education,
implementing differentiated instruction within a mainstream environment
and facilitating the needs of all pupils
in a holistic manner are all key topics, which are necessary within education.
As a qualified Special Needs Assistant the
introduction of inclusive practice within the mainstream classroom is essential
in my opinion as it promotes inclusion and diversity and allows a holistic
practice to be implemented. As an art practitioner, I have observed negative
aspects associated with this practice within the mainstream setting where
pupils can become very upset observing a member of their class group receiving
additional attention or a task which differs slightly to theirs. There is a
great deal of labelling and a stigma associated with pupils with SEN (Special
Educational Needs) receiving additional or ‘special’ attention within the
classroom, which can be perceived as favoritism.
The topic of differentiated practice within
education is promoting the inclusion of pupils with individual educational
needs or highlighting their lack of ability within the subject of Art and
Design. The importance of inclusion for all within the art classroom where
pupils with SEN are encouraged to participate in the creative process within
arts in education but also facilitate each member of the class group.
Variations of differentiated practice can be implemented within the subject of
Art, Craft & Design, which promote inclusion within the mainstream
classroom in order to gain a comprehensive insight into the benefits and
challenges which educators face within the promotion of inclusive practice in
the subject of art and design. Therefore, the factors which influence the
educator’s role in implementing differentiated instruction within the
mainstream classroom is also an essential element of the research paper where
critical elements will be highlighted in order to emphasise the importance of
CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training in SEN and inclusion but
also to promote a whole class approach to inclusion.
EAL
Over
the past twenty years, there was an unprecedented increase in immigration to
Ireland. This had a profound impact on the post-primary student profile
nationally, transforming it from a relatively homogeneous picture to one of
considerable cultural and linguistic diversity. A whole school approach and
subject specific approaches have been adapted by each setting in order to
ensure that pupils with EAL are facilitated and supported in the Irish
Educational System.
My
overall aim is to provide a supportive learning environment for all pupils
within my classroom. I have adapted many lessons to the individual educational
needs of pupils in order to facilitate their learning within the subject of
Art, Craft and Design. Within the subject I feel pupils with EAL can be easily
integrated due to the visual and emotional engagement within the subject,
however it is my role as a student educator to ensure the pupils are
participating and included in all lessons due to the complexity of some of the
terminology relating to particular disciplines.
“Art, craft and
design education provides and inspires personal expression, personal
understanding, creative and practical responses, promoting imaginative risk
taking to provide solutions to our material, emotional, social and virtual
worlds“
(NSEAD,2014,p.4).
Sexual Orientation
'A persons sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted;the fact of being heterosexual,homosexual,or bisexual'.
Social justice is a key element of initial teacher training which enables the student teacher to gain an insight into the various topics which pupils face on a daily basis. It also prepares student teachers within the knowledge and understanding in addressing such topics within their teaching.
In recent years Ireland has become
a more inclusive and open place for all people; as a nation we’ve been
challenged to grow in our understanding and appreciation of difference in many
areas of life. The past two decades in particular have brought about
unprecedented change for Ireland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
population. It is now a key element within each educational setting. The
role of educators within each subject is to address homophobic bullying and supporting
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.
Ethnicity
Can be defined as:
'the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition'.
The traveling Community in Ireland are the dominant ethnic group which I have encountered within my teaching practice to date. Classroom management can be a major challenge within the teaching and learning of pupils originating from the traveller community. Irish travelers can be seen as the most vulnerable pupils within the Irish education system in particular male traveller which have a very poor retention rate within second level education where they often leave school to enter into the workforce.
I feel developing a good relationship within my practice with members of the traveling community while offering a welcoming and approachable atmosphere. My aim is to encourage the pupils to participate within the subject of art,craft and design as this may be the only subject where they can express themselves or receive praise and encouragement. Relating to the pupils interests and hobbies is also an essential element of encouraging the pupils to engage in the work.Overall, it is the role of the educator to encourage pupils to stay in school, attend lessons on a daily basis and facilitate the individual needs of the pupils regardless of their social status.
Resource Lessons
I have volunteered to
carry out resource lessons with a pupil with a mild learning disability during
two single lessons per week. I have been assigned the task to work with the
pupil by developing her social and emotional skills through the subject of art,
craft and design.
6th December 2016
Today was the first tutorial, where I took the
opportunity to speak to the pupil F in relation to the work, which we would
carry out over the course of the year. I will meet the pupil twice a week in
order to facilitate the development of her social and emotional skills but also
to facilitate her with any outstanding academic work, which she feels she may
need some help with. Having spoken with the pupil she feels she would also like
to carry out some artwork as she would like to develop within the subject. I
gave the pupil the opportunity to speak about what areas she would like to
improve on and to research some activities on the computer in the room. I also
teach this pupil in the mainstream classroom therefore we have a good
relationship however I wanted to ensure the pupil is comfortable in carrying
out the additional tutorial lesson which she seemed pleased to carry out. We
have decided that we will carry out some Christmas activities for the next few
lessons as the pupil is currently decorating her house for Christmas and would
like to give some decorations to her family. My aim is to make the pupil as
comfortable as possible while enjoying the work being carried out in order to
develop her self-esteem and confidence within the educational setting. Overall,
I am pleased with the progress made within todays lesson and I look forward to
beginning the tutorial lessons with the pupil.
16th December 2016
Having missed two tutorials I decided that the
pupil would complete a Christmas themed activity as the Christmas Market took
place in the school today and the tutorial was directly after this. The pupil
was extremely active within the lesson where she was very excited to carry out
the activity. I took the opportunity to speak with the pupil regarding any
difficulties, which she was having, within the school where the organisational
factor arouse once again. So I spoke to the pupil about different strategies
which we could try in order to facilitate her learning and organisational
skills. We have come to the agreement that we will try a colour coding approach
where each of the pupil will choose a different colour for each subject and
then issue that colour within her journal in relation to recording her homework
etc. which will facilitate the pupils organisational skills.
20th
December 2016
The pupil carried out the snowman activity to a
very good standard where she really showed a good concept of coordination and
independent thinking an problem solving in relation to the creation of a
snowman Christmas decoration. The pupil seemed very excited to show her parents
when she returned from school so she could display it in her home. I feel I am
building a good relationship with the pupil and seems eager and willing to try
out and experiment with different strategies and approaches which may
facilitate her learning. I feel the SNA’s are a great benefit to the pupil and
are a great source of support and information regarding the elements which need
to be addressed within the pupils education. I hope to work with the SNA’s on a
greater level in the new year in relation to adapting approaches to facilitate
and make tasks easier for the pupil and also introduce some differentiated
strategies for the pupils benefit.
10th
January 2017
Today was the first lesson back following the
Christmas break. I decided to begin
facilitating the pupils work within the subject of
art as I feel the pupil would need additional help within the discipline of
Print. This is also an element which will be addressed within my research
paper. The pupils worked well within the lesson where she addressed the concept
of positive and negative space which after some repetition she understood and
when asked was confident to assist me within the mainstream classroom in
explaining the concept to the pupils. I feel the pupil is working well she is
extremely weak within the subject and needs a great deal of guidance but I feel
she is enjoying the subject following some positive feedback.
17th
January 2017
Today the pupil was ready to begin the next stage
of her lino design where she began drawing her chosen design which she
researched for homework. I decided to allow the pupil to bring in her possible
design so I could assist her in drawing her design as the pupil would face
major challenges in drawing the design however through the grid method the
pupil was able to draw the chosen image to the best of her ability which
facilitated the development of her self esteem and confidence within the
subject of art. The pupil will transfer the image onto her lino block within
the art lesson today where she will be ready to begin cutting in the next
tutorial and art lesson. I will work with the pupil closely in order to ensure
she understands the process but also to ensure her health and safety is to the
forefront at all times. The work is beginning to progress and she seems to be
extremely happy with the work produced to date.
20th
January 2017
The pupil began working on her lino print design
where she continued generating her design relating to the positive and negative
space. She carried out a black and white drawing of her image within the lesson
in an A5 format. Field notes were carried out during the lesson for my
Professional Research Paper in relation to the behaviour displayed within a
tutorial setting,
24th
January 2017
The pupil developed her design a great deal within
the lesson where she began transferring the image onto the lino block. The
pupil began experimenting with mark making prior to subtracting her design
using lino cutting tools. Field notes were carried out during the lesson for my
Professional Research Paper in relation to the behaviour displayed within a
tutorial setting,
27th
January 2017
The pupil developed her design by carrying on with
the subtractive process within the lesson. Field notes were carried out during
the lesson for my Professional Research Paper in relation to the behaviour
displayed within a tutorial setting.
31st
January 2017
The pupil began sticking down the elements which
she has research and developed over the past few weeks in order to create a support
study sheet where she included her designs relating to the positive and
negative space. Her research of an artist,her personal statement and initial
ideas for her lino design. Field notes were carried out during the lesson for
my Professional Research Paper in relation to the behaviour displayed within a
tutorial setting,
7th
February 2017
Today the pupil continued completing her support
study sheet by adding decorate elements to the a3 sheet .She then decided to
mount one of her prints completed witin the mainstream classroom in order to
bring the piece home and display it within her house.
14th
February 2017
I decided that the pupil would carry out an
observational drawing within todays lesson as I have been informed that the
pupils will carry out a drawing exam as pasrt of their summer examinations
therefore I feel the pupil needs a great deal of practice which the tutorial
will assist in developing her techniques. I will work with the pupil closely in
order to ensure she understands the process of observational drawings looking
at line, shape ,tone and texture in relation to effective scale and
composition. The pupil is facing major challenges in this area and seems to get
upset when she cannot carry out a drawing to a high standard I will work with
the pupil to improve these skills.
10th
March 2017
The pupil and I decided to begin to create the
construction of the 3D design within todays lesson. I gave the pupil the
cardboard, masking tape and newspaper to begin the process and assisted her when
necessary. She worked very well within the lesson where she completed the basic
shape of the Starbucks cup. I feel the pupils is really developing within her
confidence within the subject of Art and she seemed to really enjoy todays
lesson where she will develop the 3D piece further within the mainstream
lesson.
14th
-24th March 2017
Over the course of three tutorial lessons the pupil
carried out Papier Maché on her chosen design. The pupils really enjoyed this
process where she expressed her interest and passion for the discipline of 3D
sculpture. The pupil worked well independently and took a great deal of
ownership of the project within the lessons and developed the work to greater degree within the mainstream lessons.
The pupil did work to a better standard within the tutorial lessons where she
focused on her work as she worked independently.
28th
March 2017
Having completed the Papier Maché stage of the
construction process the pupil began applying an undercoat to her piece within
todays lesson as the pupil will be absent for the next two lessons due to a
competition in the UK I was eager to urge her to complete as much as possible
within the lesson so she would not fall behind within the mainstream lesson. I
feel the pupil worked well and managed to get the base coat completed.
3D Sculpture (1D) SEN
I
decided to introduce a project relating to SEN within the first year class
group 1D. The group had a major interest in the work of Stephen Wilshire and
his condition ASD therefore I decided to ask the pupils to pick a condition to
research and then develop a 3D design in the form of an object which would
assist a person with their chosen condition. Through the introduction of such a
project the pupils have developed compassion, empathy and a mature outlook in
relation to SEN in society but also in a school context.
Sesame Street Character with Autism
Autism Awareness Animation
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| Pupils Responses |
3D Sculpture (1F)
Multiculturalism
I
decided to introduce a project relating to multiculturalism within the first
year class group 1F. The group has a broad range of multicultural pupils therefore
I decided to ask the pupils to pick a country to research and then develop a 3D
design in the form of a sculpture relating to heir chosen country. Through the
introduction of such a project the pupils have developed an insight and understanding
into various countries around the world. They have also gained a knowledge of
the cultural heritage of sculptures within each countries and the traditions associated
with each denomination.
Multiculturalism Clip
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| Pupils Responses |
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