Inclusive education: pre-service teachers' reflexive learning on diversity and their challenging role

Abstract

Today people from a wide range of socio-cultural backgrounds are entering the teaching profession. The changing profile of pre-service teachers prompted inquiry into personal and professional influences in understanding diversity and inclusive practices. Two teacher educators collaborated across Australian universities to explore reflexive practices in preparing pre-service teachers for their complex teaching roles in the twenty-first century. Modes of delivery were an on-campus Inclusive Education unit with situated learning opportunities in community settings and a fully online Inclusive Education unit. Findings revealed that reflexive learning was a key mediating strategy in expanding the participants' consciousness. Participants engaged in confronting assumptions, raising awareness of diverse learning needs and critiquing social justice principles and equity issues. By creating a supportive learning environment, teacher educators were able to shift pre-service teachers from mere acceptance of diversity to a commitment to ethical decision-making and quality inclusive education.