Inclusive classroom of our dreams

By Aarón Bernárdez and Renata Večerková

Classroom design

Learning space and its adaptabilityThe learning space is spacious with furniture easy to move and

form different layouts for different form of work, e.g. a horseshoe,

“L” shape, pairs or groups. It is possible to move the desks aside,

use cushions and work on the floor.

There is enough natural lights coming from the six windows on the

two walls. There is an Interactive Whiteboard and a board on the

third wall. On the last wall there are notice boards with students’

work and visual learning aids.

Relaxation cornerRelaxation corner is a part of the classroom

with two sofas, a carpet and a big TV. There is

also a class library with materials for students,

stimulation books or music for relaxation.

Digital tEchnologiesThe classroom is equipped with IWB, laptops and tablets. There

is an easy to use Learning Management System for teachers

and students. Teachers use some Apps with students. The

technologies that we use are adapted to a particular student’s

needs, e.g . students having problems with their arms or hands

have keyboard cases, or access to big images.

Learning is accessible, presentations include text together with

visual and audio aids to support various types of learning

needs.

Students’ needs In our school there are mainstream students, students with SLD,

students with Autism, ADHD, different types of impairments and

students with low socioeconomic background.

Students’ needs are fully respected and the physical environment

is marked with colours, numbers and other symbols. There are

pictos for children with problems in expressive and oral language.

Schedule and activities are visualized, too.

SupportStudents are supported according to their special needs. There

is a school psychologist, a support teacher, a teacher assistant

and the team coordinator. All the team members meet and

cooperate. They also cooperate with external members similar

to “orientation team” or associations for autistic children,

hyperactive children, etc.

The teachers are well-trained and they use a variety of teaching

methodologies. They also use various activities with students,

e.g. activities with clay, inserting balls into cord or activities with

other materials prepared by the teachers with boxes, pvc.