What is labeling in the context of Educational Psychology? (b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of labeling? 2. What is inclusion, and why Inclusion in Education

(a) 

1(a) labeling  is the  assignment  of  a descriptor  to an  individual  based  on selected  behavioral  and   physical characteristic ,In the  society  an  assigned  label  essentially  places  the individual  into a  specified  group  processing  similar  characteristic . By design a  label  can  serve  the  discriminatory  purpose  of distinguishing the individual  from  the  rest of society  and  provide  information  about  the  individual  regardless  of it  accuracy .

Labels help to provide educational support to students who struggle academically, physically, emotionally and socially. The decision to use a label should be carefully considered due to the possibility of negative connotations regarding social relationships, personal preferences and the effects on self-esteem Boyle C., (2013).

The advantages and disadvantages of labeling

 Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

An obvious pro of labeling a child who has special needs in the classroom is that teachers can use this information to help the child learn using their limitations as a guide.  “Once a student is identified, the student can receive an individualized education program designed to meet his/her unique needs,” says Newsome. “Identifying students in specific categories of disability allows professionals to design an educational plan specifically for the student which will best meet the students’ educational needs.”

 Extra Learning Support. By labeling a child, they will receive extra services that they may not have been able to receive otherwise. For example, the child may be able to receive instruction in a learning support room at a pace that works for them. “They can receive frequent repetition and instruction in a much smaller setting with other students just like them,” says Rose Kivi, author of “How the ‘Learning Disabled’ Label Affects Students,” posted on brighthubeducation.com.

 Targeted Instruction. It  says that by labeling the child as “learning disabled” these students are able to get help in order to remediate their specific problem. “Receiving instruction based on what students need is crucial in helping them excel and be successful in the future,” she says. The teachers and staff are better equipped to teach the child in a way that ensures learning by knowing what the specific learning disability is for each student.

Disadvantages

 Low Self-Esteem for the Student.There are many laws in place that protect the rights of students with disabilities including access to services and helping to ensure these students are not discriminated against. However, many children do have low self-esteem once they are labeled.  “Students who are identified as students with disabilities may doubt themselves, feel that they are not as smart as others and create a sense of learned helplessness,” says Newsome. These students may feel that they cannot do well in school or are not smart.

 Lower Expectations from Parents & Teachers .Parents and teachers may be guilty of having lower expectations for children with special needs. They may believe the student cannot do what is required of the other students and therefore lower the learning expectations for the child. Basically, if the teachers and parents don’t believe in the child, then the child won’t believe in himself either.  “Lower expectations sets up the student for failure,” Newsome says.

 Peer Issues. Fellow students can be mean and make fun of the student with special needs because they are different. “This may lead to the student having difficulty making friends and/or make them vulnerable to bullying or other mistreatment,” adds Newsome. It’s very important that teachers and parents help these students to build a positive self-image and boost their self-esteem by helping them build healthy relationships with others and to recognize their strengths.

2) What is inclusion, and why inclusion in education?

Inclusion  education  is about  how  we develop and  design our  school ,classroom  program  and  activities  so that  all  student  learn  and  participate  together.’ Wilson.J.(2000)  Inclusive education’ has become a commonly used buzz phrase. Inclusive education specically focuses on inclusion in education and educational institutions. The two most fundamental concerns in education today are:

a)      The quest for excellence in teaching

b)      The intensive fort to over equal opportunities for all learners.

 It is clear that the traditional understanding of teaching is becoming obsolete in the face of increasing numbers of learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds with difference abilities and educational needs in today’s classrooms.

There is inclusion in education because of the following

Families’ visions of a typical life for their children can come true. All parents want their children to be accepted by their peers, have friends and lead “regular” lives. Inclusive settings can make this vision a reality for many children with disabilities.

  Children develop a positive understanding of themselves and others. When children attend classes that reflect the similarities and differences of people in the real world, they learn to appreciate diversity. Respect and understanding grow when children of differing abilities and cultures play and learn together.

  Friendships develop. Schools are important places for children to develop friendships and learn social skills. Children with and without disabilities learn with and from each other in inclusive classes.

  Children learn important academic skills. In inclusive classrooms, children with and without disabilities are expected to learn to read, write and do math. With higher expectations and good instruction children with disabilities learn academic skills.

 All children learn by being together.

Because the philosophy of inclusive education is aimed at helping all children learn, everyone in the class benefits. Children learn at their own pace and style within a nurturing learning environment

Conclusion Inclusive education with the numerous advantages that it brings it for all of the stakeholders in the upbringing - educational process is needed indeed, but its implementation should be fully, to satisfy all criteria, in order to enjoy the benefits that derive from it, otherwise its improvised and partial implementation can have negative effects on most participants in it. It is necessary to raise the social awareness of the differences that exist between people and the need for inclusion of people with the disabilities in social life. Reorganization of schools in terms of: spatial, material, technical conditions, providing professional staff, continuous training of teachers to work with the pupils with special needs.

REFERENCES

Boyle C., (2013). Labeling in special education: Where do the benefits lie? In A.Holliman (Ed.) Educational Psychology: An International Perspective. London:Routledge.

Wilson.J.(2000) . ‘Learning Difficulties,’ Disability and ‘Special