Methods for Instructing Studen ts with Han dicaps Integrated in to Regular Education Classrooms in Developing Countries

Abstract

Whether on the basis of a philosophy of education, or simple economic necessity, many handicapped students in developing countries have been placed in regular education classrooms. Usually the number of non-handicapped students in these classrooms is quite large. Under these conditions, it is very difficult to provide individualised or even small group instruction. In the discussion that follows, various methods are described for instructing students with handicaps integrated into regular education classrooms in developing countries. These methods include techniques in which students help other students: the buddy system, cooperative learning, and student tutoring; also described are teacher aides, small group instruction, methods for adapting lectures, learning centres, creative scheduling, sharing remedial instruction, and teaching instructional survival skills. Step-by-step procedures for implementing many of these techniques are described. The paper also describes a number of ecological considera tions that may influence the suitability of these instructional procedures and the success of integration in particular cultural contexts.