Agility is the key
Agility is the key
By Janaki Narayan, Brindavan Education Trust
I attended a book release function many months ago where the author mentioned the word “Enterprise Agility”. He was talking about the need for organizations to be flexible and responsive to the new business environment. But the word “Agility” struck a chord with me. I started thinking about the mental agility required in an institution like ours. The need for us, special educators, as well as parents of differently abled children to equip ourselves with the tools required to help our children face an ever changing world.
The dictionary meaning of mental “agility” is the ability to think and draw conclusions quickly. It is the capacity to respond to events in a flexible way, to take in change and find the best course of action to move ahead despite coming across some situations which are not expected. For example, the Covid 19 pandemic forced us to think in new ways as to how to implement distance learning. Both teachers and students showed remarkable flexibility in adapting to this new teaching-learning environment. Of course, it was far from perfect but it did demonstrate human ability to respond effectively to changing conditions.
All teachers, including special educators are expected to have a number of computer/technology skills with the emergence of hybrid online learning including a fair knowledge of AI and how it can be used to benefit children with Specific learning needs. Children and parents also have to be in sync with these emerging changes. Another area where special educators need a lot of agility is to be able to cater to a heterogenous group of children with a wide range of needs. Special Educators apply the Universal Design of Learning (UDL) in all classrooms. It means that multiple ways are provided to students to access information and show what they know. Parents can help by identifying the child’s preferred mode of learning – Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic or Tactile and help the child strengthen that area.
In conclusion, family dynamics may change when parenting a child with special needs. But this agile redistribution of roles and responsibilities also develops a sense of resilience and togetherness. Special educators should always research about best practices and not be rigid in their teaching methodologies, in order to positively impact student outcomes.
Category
Recent Posts
