"You can build a ramp to get anyone into a building, but it truly is the attitude that facilitates real inclusion. If the people inside the building don't see the value of the individual and don't want them there, then true inclusion does not happen." - Christina Smith
The goal of research into collaborative education is to reach a level of understanding into how to utilize our collective talents as educators in helping all students to succeed. Not all of the research is encouraging as there is still a significant amount of resistence to the collaborative process within the education field. We therefore want to start with the end in mind and show you an example of successful co-teaching. We will then discuss the research into collaboration between teachers to prepare you for the challenges of its implementation.
There are a few key themes that are throughout much of the readings and research that we uncovered. In order for collaborative teaching to be successful, first there needs to be a survey (either formal or informal) completed by the administration and the staff. This information is essential to gauge the openness of the school to collaborative teaching and gives feedback to what still needs to be done. Second, teachers need to recognize that as they enter into a co-teaching model, it is not that they give up their identity as a teaching professional, but that they are entering into a space where ideas and experiences and uniqueness can be shared and celebrated. Third, communication is the key. Continual and scheduled and deliberate communication is necessary for collaborative teaching to be effective. This will come easier to some teaching professionals than others, but without communication the strategy breaks down (Friend et al. 2010). It is also important to recognize the compatibility between two teaching professionals. Administration needs to know their staff and be able to create a team that will work well together. Fourth, students and parents need to understand what co-teaching is and how it shapes the classroom.
Below is an animation that we created which summarizes some more of the research that we came across. We decided to present the information in this medium instead of using text in order to make it more accessible to a wider range of people. This perspective is in line with the constructs of inclusive education in that people have multiple learning preferences and challenges. There are those who will shy away from academic writings but who will enjoy animations based on the same content. In addition, the animation below is set up like a conversation and it therefore provides content while also modelling collaboration, the very thing we want to promote.
Also check out our references and further readings below the video.
Also check out our references and further readings below the video.
References & Further Readings
Arkoudis, S. (2006). Negotiating the rough ground between ESL and mainstream teachers. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9 (4), 415 – 433.
Bad Co-teaching (2011). [Film Clip]. Retrieved August 22, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYjUqi5c4-s
Bos, C.S. & Vaughn, S. (2011). Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems, 8th Ed. Toronto, ON: Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-703467-3 or as ebook ISBN-13: 978-0-13-703473-4
Cook, L.,& Friend, M. (2004, April). Co‐Teaching: Principles, Practices, and Pragmatics. Retrieved from http://capone.mtsu.edu/tsbrown/coteachingdetailsofModels.pdf
Co-Teaching Collaboration Guidlines GUHSD. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2013, from Grossmont Union High School District: http://www.guhsd.net/index.php/procedures-and-resources/curriculum-and-instruction/doc_view/2762-co-teaching-collaboration-guidlines-guhsd
Creese, A. (2010). Content-focused classrooms and learning English: How teachers collaborate. Theory into Practice, 49 (2), 99 – 105.
Cromwell, S., (November, 2000). Team teaching: Team teachers offer tips. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin290.shtml
Davison, C. (2006). Collaboration between ESL and content teachers: How do we know when we are doing it right? International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9 (4), 454 – 475.
Five tips for team teaching (2013). Retrieved August 20, 2013, from Journal of news and resources for teachers: http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-strategies/five-tips-for-team-teaching/
Friend, M. et al. (2010). Co-teaching: An illustration of the complexity of collaboration of special education. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 20(2), 9-27.
Gardner, S. (2006). Centre-stage in the instructional register: Partnership talk in primary EAL. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9 (4), 476 – 494.
Haworth, P. (2008). Crossing borders to teach English language learners. Teachers and Teaching: theory and practice, 14 (5), 411 – 430.
Marston, N., (N. D.). Six steps to successful co-teaching. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/tools/6-steps-to-successful-co-teaching.html
Teaching Methods and Management. (2000-2013). Retrieved August 25, 2013, from TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods-and-management/educational-testing/4911.html
Walther-Thomas, S. (1997). Co-teaching experiences: The benefits and problems that teachers and principals report over time. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30 (4), 395-407.
Bad Co-teaching (2011). [Film Clip]. Retrieved August 22, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYjUqi5c4-s
Bos, C.S. & Vaughn, S. (2011). Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems, 8th Ed. Toronto, ON: Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-703467-3 or as ebook ISBN-13: 978-0-13-703473-4
Cook, L.,& Friend, M. (2004, April). Co‐Teaching: Principles, Practices, and Pragmatics. Retrieved from http://capone.mtsu.edu/tsbrown/coteachingdetailsofModels.pdf
Co-Teaching Collaboration Guidlines GUHSD. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2013, from Grossmont Union High School District: http://www.guhsd.net/index.php/procedures-and-resources/curriculum-and-instruction/doc_view/2762-co-teaching-collaboration-guidlines-guhsd
Creese, A. (2010). Content-focused classrooms and learning English: How teachers collaborate. Theory into Practice, 49 (2), 99 – 105.
Cromwell, S., (November, 2000). Team teaching: Team teachers offer tips. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin290.shtml
Davison, C. (2006). Collaboration between ESL and content teachers: How do we know when we are doing it right? International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9 (4), 454 – 475.
Five tips for team teaching (2013). Retrieved August 20, 2013, from Journal of news and resources for teachers: http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-strategies/five-tips-for-team-teaching/
Friend, M. et al. (2010). Co-teaching: An illustration of the complexity of collaboration of special education. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 20(2), 9-27.
Gardner, S. (2006). Centre-stage in the instructional register: Partnership talk in primary EAL. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9 (4), 476 – 494.
Haworth, P. (2008). Crossing borders to teach English language learners. Teachers and Teaching: theory and practice, 14 (5), 411 – 430.
Marston, N., (N. D.). Six steps to successful co-teaching. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/tools/6-steps-to-successful-co-teaching.html
Teaching Methods and Management. (2000-2013). Retrieved August 25, 2013, from TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods-and-management/educational-testing/4911.html
Walther-Thomas, S. (1997). Co-teaching experiences: The benefits and problems that teachers and principals report over time. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30 (4), 395-407.