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Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the Spring /Summer 2012 edition of The Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education. As you can see we have a new format and a new location in the electronic course reserves in the Dunbar Library here at Wright State University.

This edition of the journal continues the international discussion with articles from:

Dr. S. R. S. Litheko from South Africa describing the difference in performance of teachers between schools in urban and rural areas of South Africa.

Dr. Jenny Wells and Dr. Drue Narkon from Hawaii compare word identification using a traditional or electronic word wall instruction for kindergarteners …

The Difference In Performance Between Schools Situated In The Urban Areas And Those In The Rural Areas Of Lesotho, S. R. S. Litheko Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Since 1998, the rural schools in Lesotho have been performing relatively poorly in the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) Examinations in comparison with the high schools studied in the urban areas (Senekal, 2005: 1). It is the researcher’s opinion that many schools in the rural areas experience difficulties when attempting to attract learners because parents have generally lost confidence in those schools. Even in countries like Uganda, data from the Ministry of Education suggest that, in terms of academic performance, urban learners continually outperform rural schools at primary and secondary levels (Ministry of Education, 2002). This paper specifically sought to …

Inclusion, Signing, Socialization, And Language Skills, Virginia Heslinga Ed. D., Erica Nevenglosky

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

21st-century education finds schools challenged to increase the inclusion of students with widely varying learning abilities, language backgrounds, social diversity, and skills. Educators and administrators acknowledge a need for interactive learning that engages visual, auditory, linear, spatial, tactile, and kinetic learning styles. Students’ styles for learning vary in combinations and intensity and teachers need to combine flexibility and creativity to present material and practices that will build enthusiasm for learning. Adding sign language to a classroom of heterogeneous learners that includes English language learners (ELL) will aid in generating a positive learning environment, inclusive and interactive for varied learning needs …

A Comparison Of Traditional Versus Electronic Word Wall Instruction On Word Identification In Kindergarteners With Developmental Disabilities, Jenny Wells Ph.D., Drue E. Narkon Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to examine the effectiveness of using a word wall strategy on the word identification skills of kindergarteners with developmental disabilities (DD). An alternating treatment design was used to examine the use of the word wall strategy and whether there were differences in children’s word identification and on the teacher’s sense of efficacy when using small-group traditional word wall instruction (Cunningham, 2000) versus an individualized electronic word wall (Narkon, Wells, & Segal, 2011) instructional format. Results indicated that both strategies were effective. However, children with motivational and attentional issues may differentially benefit from the …

The Link Between Learning Disabilities And Moral Reasoning In The Context Of Criminal Behaviors, Tsafi Timor Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Previous studies demonstrate clear links between learning disabilities (LD) and criminal/delinquent behaviors, and between moral reasoning (MR) and criminal behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to examine the link between LD and MR. The study was conducted among 2 groups: learning-disabled delinquents (LDD), and non-delinquent learning disabled (NDLD). The research design included four phases and the research tools included observations, psycho-educational diagnoses, individual oral interviews based on Kohlberg’s Moral Judgment Interview (Colby et al. 1987) which aimed at determining the level of MR of the participants, and content analysis. Findings of the first research question demonstrated that the …

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the Fall/Winter 2012 edition of The Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education.

This quarter’s edition continues the international emphasis on inclusion with articles from Japan, New Zealand, Israel, the USA , Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Each research piece deals with another aspect of inclusive education from bullying to foreign language acquisition.

Mr. Asim Das and Dr. Toshiro from Hiroshima University, Japan explore views concerning the effectiveness of Certificate in Education courses for preparation to teach in inclusive classrooms. This study reveals that lack of content in special educational needs is the main impediment to competent teaching in inclusive classrooms in …

Effectiveness Of C-In-Ed Course For Inclusive Education: Viewpoint Of In-Service Primary Teachers In Southern Bangladesh, Asim Das, Toshiro Ochiai

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The study was conducted to examine primary school teachers’ views on effectiveness of Certificate in Education (C-in-Ed) course in terms of teaching in inclusive classroom in Bangladesh. A number of one hundred forty two in-service teachers from fifty six mainstream primary schools in four southern districts participated in this study. Semi-structured interview and focus group discussion were carried out for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and general inductive analysis to synthesize into some key themes that are associated with present teacher education program. The major findings of the study revealed that lack of content on special …

Bully Versus Bullied: A Qualitative Study Of Students With Disabilities In Inclusive Settings, Ida M. Malian Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This qualitative study observed bullying patterns and trends of students with and without disabilities in inclusive settings. The participants were fourth grade students eligible for receiving special education services in inclusive , resource and self-contained settings. Qualitative data were collected while students were in class and during specials and non-academic times. The data suggests that students with disabilities are bullied and are themselves bullies at times. There appeared to be a relationship between personal characteristics and the incidence of bullying. Further, adult intervention was reported to be lax during incidences f bullying. Educational implications for schools, teachers and teacher educators …

Using Visual Graphs Derived From K-12 Student Affinities And Interests For Daily Or Weekly Progress Monitoring, Martha G. Michael Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The Intervention Specialist licensure program at Capital University requires teacher education candidates to take a course in diagnostic teaching of students with mild to moderate learning needs. In this course each semester, the candidate must develop an instructional plan, 5 lessons, and a long range IEP from both formal assessment and informal assessments. Additionally, during the course of the tutoring, they must co-create with their tutee, a visual graph using the tutee’s affinities or interests. These graphs must be used to visually track tutees progress by having the tutee place sticker, color or chart their progress.

Guthrie, Martha G. Michael Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Martha G. Michael.

Contrasting Visions Of Inclusive Education: Comparisons From Rural And Urban Settings In Botswana And Zimbabwe, Sourav Mukhopadhyay, Martin Musengi

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This article explores similarities and differences in Botswana and Zimbabwe elementary school principals’ understanding of what inclusive education involves. Using a cross-site case study research design, fifteen principals in the two countries’ urban, semi-urban and rural areas were interviewed while naturalistic observations were also carried out at each school. Findings indicate no differences between the two countries as the principals were familiar with the concept of inclusive education and were favourable towards including learners with disabilities. However the increased visibility of students with disabilities in primary schools seems to overshadow other learners with various vulnerabilities. Inclusion seemed to present more …

A Review Of Inclusive Education In New Zealand, Denise Powell Ed.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Inclusive education is a worldwide response to the belief that all children have the right to be educated at their local early childhood centre or school. New Zealand’s education system has undergone a series of transformations over the past 20 years, which has included modifications to how schools and their students are funded and managed, and the responsibilities various government departments have for ensuring all children receive the best possible education in a variety of environments. This article outlines those changes, suggests a way forward that will help ensure inclusive education practices in New Zealand match the current policies and …

Student-Teachers' Metaphorical Perceptions Of Dyslexia And Foreign Language Disabilities, Tsafi Timor

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

There seems to be an ongoing controversy among researchers with regard to the existence of LD in foreign language (FLLD). It appears that most researchers favor the analogy of FLLD to obesity rather than to measles as both LD and obesity are conditions which reside on a continuum. The study examined EFL student-teachers' perceptions of FL learning problems with regard to the analogy to obesity and to measles from previous studies. The methodology was content analysis of an online forum as part of an academic course. Findings show that most student-teachers perceive FL learning problems as obesity because they find …