ERIC Number: EJ1336466
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-3831
EISSN: N/A
Collaboration for Inclusive Practices: Teaching Staff Perspectives from Finland
Paju, Birgit; Kajamaa, Anu; Pirttimaa, Raija; Kontu, Elina
Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, v66 n3 p427-440 2022
Collaboration between educators is considered to be the key issue when implementing inclusive practices within schools. An open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to extend the current understanding of collaboration between teaching staff. The questionnaire was administrated to 167 classroom teachers, subject teachers, special education teachers and teaching assistants in primary, secondary and special education public schools in Finland. Also, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants were used to deepen the understanding of the elements included in the teaching activity in diverse classrooms. The results indicate coordination, cooperation, and reflective communication as modes of collaborative action in the participants' teaching. By combining the perspectives of the activity theory framework and modes of collaboration, the results illuminate how educators often wished to have collaboration but usually played their traditional positions in the multilayered teaching activity. The implications for preparing educators to enhance reflective collaboration for more effective inclusive practices are discussed.
Descriptors: Teacher Collaboration, Teacher Attitudes, Inclusion, Foreign Countries, Teacher Aides, Special Education Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Public Schools, Teaching Methods, Regular and Special Education Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A