This chapter discusses the assumptions, implementation and deliverables of an action research project in a selected Polish class of integrated form. The main objective of the project was to trigger changes in the learning–teaching process based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach and thus promote inclusive education. The action research lasted one school semester. The empirical data, mainly qualitative, triangulating various sources of information and synthesising perspectives, were used to identify specific topics and threads identified in the gathered inputs, to present it in an orchestrated manner and to interpret it. It has been indicated that UDL approach implementation has a positive impact on the course of the teaching–learning process and optimises it to enhance the activity, commitment, self-reliance and responsibility of students and develops their cooperation, which breeds inclusion in education. Meanwhile, it stimulates teachers to change their mindset with a view to the essence of success in education and supports their daily practice.
Education researchers have long advocated modifications to the teaching–learning process in order to make the school a more inclusive space and conducive to individual and group development of students with diverse (including special) educational needs. This is to develop competences, skills and values that will allow students to better prepare for adult life in a rapidly changing world. This demand is not new and is not only a demand but refers to reforming the education process. In Poland, for many years the schools have been undergoing dynamic changes in many different dimensions, partly because of facilitating students with special needs. In the considerations of education researchers, as well as in the daily educational practice of teachers, the question arises as to what should be done to optimise the teaching–learning process and how. One possible idea for such optimisation is to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. The purpose of this chapter is to seek an answer to the question of to what extent the reality of the Polish schools corresponds to the principles of the UDL. An analysis of the traditional learning process through the UDL lens has identified those areas in which UDL approach solutions are provided and also where it is worthwhile to implement them.
The action research reported in this chapter lasted for one semester. This was a novel time because schools, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, suspended their in-person activities and implemented online learning. This has necessitated the formulation of research purposes and problems appropriate to the dynamically changing educational reality (and beyond). This chapter provides a theoretical background to the risks to education during a pandemic. The assumptions, implementation and results of the research project implemented by the action research method in the selected Polish class are also discussed. The empirical data, mainly qualitative, triangulated by various sources of information, reconciled perspectives that were used to identify specific topics and threads appearing in the gathered inputs, to present it in an orchestrated manner and to interpret it. The analyses carried out lead to the conclusion that the application of the UDL approach promotes the success of inclusive education, despite the difficult experiences of the pandemic period. It has been proven that UDL approach implementation has a positive impact on the course of the teaching-learning process, optimises it to enhance the activity, commitment, self-reliance and responsibility of students and develops their cooperation, which breeds inclusion in education. The extraordinary situation faced by teachers and pupils due to the need to switch to online learning, contrary to temporary concerns, has reinforced the changes brought about by the implementation of the UDL approach in the learning process.
Striving for a success in parallel to the simultaneous attainment of high level of well-being is these days a common phenomenon. For quite a long time it has been also in the focus of the scientific debates and papers also dealing with education. This paper presents the findings of the study on the teachers’ perception of the student success in the context of assessment of selected success determinants and/or indicators. While analysing the theoretical relationship between student's well-being and educational success, 4 selected factors taken from the Buchner (2004) study were considered key to the undertaken research. The results showed that teachers tend to recognize factors related to the student's well-being as indicators of success, which means they perceive it as a result of achievement. Meanwhile the care for the student’s well-being before undertaking an educational task as a success determinant-related situation seems to be less visible.
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