<p>This thesis aims at describing and analysing the process and content in knowledge development within a research circle. The participants in this circle are seven teachers who work with multilingual children diagnosed within the autism spectrum, and me as a researcher.</p><p>The study is conducted within the tradition of participatory-oriented research. The research issue concerns the questions these teachers ask themselves in their everyday work. The study, consisting of twelve meetings, was carried out during 2004-2005. In the final meeting material collected in the circle was analysed together by all participants. The knowledge-content analysis disclosed four main themes: mother-tongue issues, disabilities and diagnoses, the issue of frames and matters related to working with parents and other professionals. The results show that once a child is diagnosed within the autism spectrum the diagnosis “takes over” and mother-tongue instruction is seldom discussed.</p><p>The participants in the circle found it difficult to collaborate with the various authorities involved in working with a child and its family. They also found it difficult to communicate with parents, due to language barriers, different cultural contexts, and the observation that interpreters did not translate properly. The participants noted an existing hierarchy in relation to doctors and psychologists, regarded as having the mandate to assess a child’s ability and suggest placement in class.</p><p>A conclusion is that the work of the teachers entails a high degree of complexity, and that knowledge meetings and collaboration between parents, teachers, and the various authorities are needed. During the circle process emancipating collective knowledge was constructed transcending what any participant had from the start. Experiences discussed in continuing dialogues, and in an on-going process, seem to be essential for generation of knowledge. When experiences were challenged, potentials for different actions were revealed.</p>

<p>Abstract</p><p> </p><p>This licentiate’s dissertation is about how school staff talk about pupils having difficulties in relating to teachers and other pupils. It’s specific focus is on pupils which are described as “disturbing”, “troublesome”,”unruly”, “unconcentrated” or characterised by similar concepts. The main aim is to elucidate and discuss how school staff explain pupils’ difficulties, what measures they state that they undertake and what measures they consider necessary.</p><p>The study is based on a social constructive approach. This means that the way we understand the world we live in is seen as shaped by social and cultural processes mediated through language. A consequence of this is that the way the staff talk about pupils in difficulties will influence how they relate to those children and how they work at solving the problems.</p><p>The empirical material consists of interviews with six principals, six Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators and six class teachers from six different schools. 15 of the people interviewed work with 11–13 year olds and three of them with 7–9 year olds. The material from the interviews is categorised into themes and further analysed in order to present a systematic overview of the ways in which the staff talk about children in difficulties.</p><p>The result shows that the problems are understood as complex and full of nuances. Explanations of the problems from medical/psychological perspectives have no distinguished status. It is more common that the problems are related to social conditions, family situation and school environment.</p><p>The study also shows that different professional groups usually place the responsibility for solving the problems with other professional groups. The way the concerned principal looks upon the problem seems be important for the way the problem is dealt with.</p><p>The way the staff studied talk about the school activities indicates that schools differ concerning issues like organisation, the role of the Special Needs Co-ordinator, co-operation between different professional groups etc. As a consequence pupils having difficulties in relating to other people will be subjected to different conditions depending on what school they attend. The school as an arena of identity creation and citizenship education will offer hence different opportunities to different children in difficulties.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Keywords:</em><strong> </strong>special educational needs, social constructionism, children in need of support,</p><p>problem behavior in schools</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p>Hans Larsson, Department of Education,</p><p>Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden, hans.larsson@oru.se</p>

This thesis aims at describing and analysing the process and content in knowledge development within a research circle. The participants in this circle are seven teachers who work with multilingual children diagnosed within the autism spectrum, and me as a researcher. The study is conducted within the tradition of participatory-oriented research. The research issue concerns the questions these teachers ask themselves in their everyday work. The study, consisting of twelve meetings, was carried out during 2004-2005. In the final meeting material collected in the circle was analysed together by all participants. The knowledge-content analysis disclosed four main themes: mother-tongue issues, disabilities and diagnoses, the issue of frames and matters related to working with parents and other professionals. The results show that once a child is diagnosed within the autism spectrum the diagnosis “takes over” and mother-tongue instruction is seldom discussed. The participants in the circle found it difficult to collaborate with the various authorities involved in working with a child and its family. They also found it difficult to communicate with parents, due to language barriers, different cultural contexts, and the observation that interpreters did not translate properly. The participants noted an existing hierarchy in relation to doctors and psychologists, regarded as having the mandate to assess a child’s ability and suggest placement in class. A conclusion is that the work of the teachers entails a high degree of complexity, and that knowledge meetings and collaboration between parents, teachers, and the various authorities are needed. During the circle process emancipating collective knowledge was constructed transcending what any participant had from the start. Experiences discussed in continuing dialogues, and in an on-going process, seem to be essential for generation of knowledge. When experiences were challenged, potentials for different actions were revealed.

Den svenska skolan har haft elever som bedömts vara i behov av särskilt stöd sedanfolkskolan infördes 1842. Hur denna undervisning bedrivits eller varit utformad har sett olika ut under olika tidsperioder. Vi ville ta del av lärares erfarenheter av särskilda undervisningsgruppers förändringsprocess över ett trettioårigt perspektiv, och lyfta fram förändringsprocessens positiva och negativa konsekvenser för eleverna i deras sociala utveckling och i lärandet så som lärarna uppfattar det. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats med narrativa intervjuer som metod. Den narrativa metoden syftar till att tolka och förstå lärarnas berättelser. Resultatet visar att de särskilda undervisningsgrupperna inte har genomgått någon större förändring under denna tidsperiod enligt lärarna, trots de organisatoriska förändringar som har skett. Men däremot har förhållningssättet mot eleverna förändrats under detta trettioåriga perspektiv, vilket har gynnat eleverna på ett positivt sätt. (En) The Swedish school has got students in special educational needs since elementary school was introduced 1842. How the education was designed and performed has been different from time to time. We wanted to take part of the teachers’ experiences of special educational groups in a process of change over a thirty-year period, and if this process was propitious for the students in special educational needs. The study is qualitative with narrative research interviews as method. The narrative method aims to interpret and understand the teachers’ stories. The result of the process change shows that the special educational groups have not changed during this period of time, according to the teachers, despite the organisational changes that has taken place. But however the approach against the students has changed, which we experience has favoured the students in a positive way. / The Swedish school has got students in special educational needs since elementary school was introduced 1842. How the education was designed and performed has been different from time to time. We wanted to take part of the teachers' experiences of special educational groups in a process of change over a thirty-year period, and if this process was propitious for the students in special educational needs. The study is qualitative with narrative research interviews as method. The narrative method aims to interpret and understand the teachers' stories. The result of the process change shows that the special educational groups have not changed during this period of time, according to the teachers, despite the organisational changes that has taken place. But however the approach against the students has changed, which we experience has favoured the students in a positive way.

Abstract   The purpose of this study was to examine how teachers in regular classrooms include pupils with special educational needs. I also wanted to find out what support teachers get of special education teachers, and the teaching perspective the teachers have when they work whit pupils. The teachers that have been interviewed and observed in this study work in regular classes.   This report is a qualitative study based on interviews and observations whit four teachers. The results indicate that the teachers are conscious of how they teach and their teaching strategies. The teachers agree that all students should be included in regular education, because learning occurs in the interaction between individuals. No one should be excluded from their regular classroom. But for students with special needs to receive an equal education, there should be more resources in the classroom. Special educators should be more involved in the regular teaching, to create conditions to a school for all pupils.     Keywords: Inclusion, pupils whit special educational needs, regular classroom teaching, special education, teaching strategies, a school for all.

This dissertation is based on results from an intervention study targeting working memory training. A group of 46 boys and 11 girls (aged 10.7) that were attending special units in 16 regular schools participated in the study. The treatment group (n = 42) trained at school every day for 30-40 minutes with an interactive computer program (Cogmed training) for five weeks. The performances of the treatment group on reading related measures and basic number skills are compared to those of a group of students (n =15) that were attending similar special units and received only ordinary special educational instruction. Working memory measures and non-verbal problem solving were compared to students (n = 25) in a control group from a previous study. In Study I, it was found that reading comprehension and working memory measures correlated and improved at post-tests (T2, T3) for the treatment group to a larger extent than for the comparison group. In Study II, it was found that working memory measures and basic number skills were highly related. The performance of the boys in the treatment group improved more than that of the boys in the comparison group on basic number test at both post-tests. In Study III, basic skills assessed three years later (T4) are reported. The treatment group achieved higher scores in reading comprehension compared to pre-tests and compared to the control group. The treatment group seems to have gained from the cognitive training of working memory with the computer assisted program directly after training, after seven months and at the three year follow-up. The gains were observed on visuo-spatial working memory measure (T2, T3), reading comprehension and on basic number skills in boys (T2, T3, T4). The possible mechanisms that may be involved in and may explain the observed improvements of performances are discussed: executive function, attention, memory, motivation, emotions. The study has some methodological limitations and more research is needed to substantiate the efficacy of the program. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Submitted.</p>

The purpose of this study is that, based on expertise in special education tutoring, examine the degree of supervision demanded by teachers in primary schools. As a result of this study, we can see the views teachers have regarding guidance within the following issues: the demand for tutoring, the importance of conversation and reflection, and guidance from the specialist teacher.Since the study deals with phenomena of a qualitative nature, we use semi-structured interviews in the empirical part of trying to understand the informants' way of looking at the phenomenon we are investigating. The study included interviews with six teachers in the elementary school year’s 1-3. The results show that there are more opportunities than obstacles to mentoring. To have someone to go to for advice and support is an important part of the guidance. While there is ambiguity about what the meaning of mentoring is believed to be and who it is for. Special educator's role as mentors in schools varies widely and there is no doubt that the special educator serves many functions and is there for those children who are in need of extra support. The importance of conversation and reflection is considered important, while the lack of time seems to be an obvious factor governing teachers' daily lives in a negative way.

Inclusive Education for students with special educational needs is a global phenomenon, a major event of momentous proportions affecting directly and indirectly a significant percentage of the world's population. In response to international and national mandates requiring its implementation, educators everywhere are engaged in the daily task of providing educational services within inclusive general education classroom settings. It is expected that inclusion in the United States will become more prevalent in American classrooms over the next ten years due to progressively more stringent federal and state mandates. In order for inclusion to result in adequate yearly progress for all student subgroups, it is imperative that it be properly implemented. Research has established that a critical component for proper implementation is an understanding of baseline attitudes in regard to inclusive education held by educators. The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes of pre-K-12 general and special education teachers, school site administrators, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, certified non-teaching, school office staff and special education office staff in a medium-sized school district in southern Arizona. This study examines attitudes held by educators, their foundations of knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and opinions that shape their attitudes; and potential recommendations for implementation strategies that are predicted to be successful by these educators.

Darbe atlikta teorinė ugdymo individualizavimo bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose sampratos analizė ir nustatyta, kad ugdymo turinio individualizavimo procesą lemia veiksnių kompleksas: parengta ir galiojanti įstatyminė norminė bazė, reglamentuojanti specialųjį ugdymą, visuomenės nuostatos bei galiojantys stereotipai, konkrečios ugdymo įstaigos kultūrinis ir socialinis kontekstas, specialiųjų ugdymo(si) poreikių įvertinimo, skyrimo ir organizavimo procese dalyvaujančių asmenų požiūris, žinios, gebėjimai ir tokios jų subjektyvios savybės kaip pareigingumas, atsakomybė ir pan. Iškeltos hipotezės: 1. Pedagogai, adaptuodami bendrojo ugdymo programas, susiduria su sunkumais įvertindami vaiko gebėjimus, formuluodami tikslus, turinį ir parinkdami tinkamus metodus. 2. Tikėtina, kad tinkamai struktūruota ir aiški ugdymo turinio adaptavimo strategija gali turėti teigiamos įtakos pedagogų kompetencijai individualizuoti ugdymo turinį specialiųjų ugdymosi poreikių turintiems mokiniams. Turinio (content) analizės metodu buvo atliktas tyrimas, kurio tikslas – atskleidus ir įvertinus bendrųjų programų turinio adaptavimo ugdymo praktikoje teigiamus ir neigiamus aspektus, parengti programų adaptavimo strategiją bei įvertinti jos veiksmingumą individualizuojant specialiųjų ugdymosi poreikių turinčių mokinių ugdymo turinį. Atlikta anksčiau ir naujai rengtų adaptuotų programų lyginamoji analizė. Anketinės apklausos metodu buvo norima nustatyti ir įvertinti naujai parengtos ugdymo adaptavimo strategijos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In the thesis there was done theoretical analysis of conception of educational individualization at comprehensive school and it was settled that individualization process of educational content is determined by a complex of factors: prepared valid juridical normative base, regulating special training, public provisions, and effectual stereotypes, cultural and social context of a certain educational institution, attitude, knowledge, abilities and such their subjective features as dutifulness, responsibility, etc. of people, who participate in the process of estimation, designation and organization of special training needs. Interposed hypothesis: 1.Pedagogues, adapting programmes of general education, meet difficulties in assessing a child’s abilities, formulating aims, content and choosing appropriate methods. 2. It is believed that a suitably structured and clear educational content adaptation strategy may have positive influence for pedagogues’ competence to individualize educational content for schoolchildren having special educational needs. By the method of content analysis there was done a research, the aim of which was after having opened and estimated positive and negative aspects of content adaptation of general programmes in educational practice, to prepare strategy of program adaptation and estimate its effectiveness individualizing educational content for the schoolchildren having special educational needs. There was done a comparative analysis of earlier and... [to full text]

Specialiųjų poreikių vaikai – tai mūsų visuomenės dalis, todėl būtina gilintis į jų problemų sprendimą, padėti prisitaikyti prie juos supančios aplinkos, pritapti ir surasti savo vietą visuomenėje. Neįgaliųjų vaikų integracija – viena iš aktualiausių diskusijų, mokslinių konferencijų bei mokslinės literatūros temų. Tyrimo tikslas – atskleisti mokinių, besimokančių pagal individualizuotas programas socialinį – edukacinį portretą. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Atlikus mokslinės literatūros analizę, atskleisti mokinių, turinčių specialiųjų poreikių integravimo galimybes. 2. Aptarti mokinių, turinčių specialiųjų poreikių, socialinį – edukacinį portretą instituciniu ( mokyklos ) lygmeniu. 3. Atskleisti mokinių, turinčių specialiųjų poreikių, socialini- edukacinį portretą mokymosi veiklos lygmeniu. 4. Aptarti mokinių, turinčių specialiųjų poreikių, socialinį – edukacinį portretą tarpasmeniniu lygmeniu. Tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros analizė, Q tipo duomenų rinkimas ( anketinė apklausa), lyginamoji analizė, kokybinė ir statistinė duomenų analizė. Anketos parengtos trims respondentų grupėms: 5-9 klasių, specialiųjų poreikių turintiems mokiniams ( 39 mokiniai ), mokytojams ( 23 mokytojai ) ir tėvams ( 27 tėvai) Respondentų nuomone vaikų besimokančių pagal individualizuotas programas, padėtis bendrojo lavinimo mokykloje pasireiškia vienodais lūkesčiais, ugdymo tikslais ir metodais, tai viena iš svarbiausių teigiamos vaiko savijautos mokykloje prielaidų. Tyrimo metu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Special needs children - is our society, it is necessary to look into their problems, to adapt to their environment, to adapt and find their place in society. Integration of Disabled Children - one of the most pressing debates, conferences and literature themes. Purpose of the survey - to reveal students' learning under individualized programs of social - educational portrait. The tasks were: 1. After the literature analysis, detection of students with special needs into opportunities. 2. Discuss pupils with special needs, social - educational portrait of institutional (school) level. 3. Reveal students with special needs, socio-educational profile for learning at the operational level. 4. Discuss pupils with special needs, social - educational portrait interpersonal level. Research methods include literature review, Q-type data collection (questionnaire), a comparative analysis of qualitative and statistical data analysis. Profiles of respondents drawn three groups: 5-9 grade, special needs pupils (39 pupils), teachers (23 teachers) and parents (27 parents) Felt to be individualized according to children's learning programs on secondary school gets the same expectations, educational goals and methods, it is one of the most important positive well-being of the child's school history. The study showed that the individualization of educational programs for students released - a long-term, systematic, planned event. The analysis of pupils with social -... [to full text]