Study Unit 2

BIO-ECOLOGICAL
THEORY & INCLUSION

Ms Jiyane L.
 A THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

 WHAT IS A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK?

 WHY DO WE NEED A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK?

 CENTRAL CONCEPTS TO SUCH A FRAMEWORK?

WHAT IS A SYSTEMIC
PERSPECTIVE?

Ecosystemic theory is concerned with the

processes of communication within systems,
including human systems

It represents a shift from the emphasis on

parts, to an emphasis on the patterns in
organisation involving parts and wholes.
 WHAT IS SYSTEMIC THEORY,
CONTINUED?
 There are certain key elements within a
system:
-interaction,
-inter-relatedness,
-functional unity,
-common function and
-functioning as a whole

 Ecosystemic thoughts were derived from

General Systems Theory as well as the
Ecological Model
 BRONFENBRENNER’S
ECOLOGICAL MODEL:
Ecological models are concerned with the
processes and conditions of human
development in the environments in which
human beings live.

 The environment should be seen as a

context of successively nested systems:
-micro-system
-meso-system
-exo-system
-macro-systems
-along a continuum of time
or chrono-system
 BRONFENBRENNER’S
SYSTEMS
• micro-system e.g. family, peers, school
• meso-system e.g. local community
• exo-system e.g. dad’s work
• macro-systems e.g. wider community &
whole society
• chrono-system - along a continuum of
time
ECO-SYSTEMIC
THEORY & EDUCATION
As educators we have to be aware of the
multiple systems in the lives of the learners
we teach

At the same time we have to be aware of the

systems operating in our lives

Our systems and the systems of our learners

intertwine in a recursive dance to form a new
system of its own
 WHAT ARE
THE DIFFERENT
SYSTEMS WITHIN
WHICH WE EXIST?
 INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM
PHYSICAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
 FAMILY SYSTEM
PARENTAL SYSTEM
SIBLINGS
 PEER/SOCIAL GROUP
 SCHOOL
CLASSROOM
WHOLE SCHOOLING COMMUNITY
 COMMUNITY
 SOCIETY
 SOCIETY

COMMUNITY

FAMILY

PEERS
SCHOOL
INDIVIDUAL

EVER CHANGING OVER TIME

External Systems
Within which the
individual
exists

Internal
Systems
Within the
individual
INTERNAL/INTRINSIC SYSTEMS

Spiritual Moral

Emotional Cognitive

Physical Social
 EXTERNAL SYSTEMS

Peers

Class/ Family:
School Immediate &
extended

Community

Society
THINK ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL CONTEXT
AND THE DIFFERENT
SYSTEMS IN YOUR LIFE

Do you have a clear description of your

context across all systems?

How has this setting influenced your

learning and development?

What influence will this setting have on your

teaching?
INCLUSION
 INCLUSION.
• 1. WHAT IS INCLUSION?

• 2. WHERE DOES THE IDEA OF INCLUSION

COME FROM?
 
• 3. WHAT IS THE SOUTH AFRICAN
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S POLICY ON
INCLUSION?

• 4. WHAT ARE BARRIERS TO LEARNING AND

DEVELOPMENT?
 WHAT IS
INCLUSION?
• Develop the capacity of schools to accommodate all
children regardless of their physical, intellectual,
social, emotional, behavioural, linguistic or other
needs.

• Schools should provide opportunities for

facilitating the integration & inclusion of learners in
all aspects of life. (Engelbrecht, Green, Naicker &
Engelbrecht, 1999:19). 
WHERE DOES THE IDEA OF
INCLUSION COME FROM?
• Its an international trend.

• The driving force: Salamanca Statement on Principals,

Policy and Practice in Special Needs Education
(Engelbrecht, Green, Naicker & Engelbrecht, 1999:14).

• The statement - endorsed by 92 countries and 25

international organizations

• Stated the following (Unesco, 1994:9): a commitment to

Education for All, recognizing the necessity and urgency
of providing education for children, youth and adults
with special education needs within the regular
education system.
 SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT’S POLICY ON
INCLUSION.
• South African Constitution (1997) - human rights
approach

• White Paper 6 : Special Needs Education - Building

an Inclusive Education and Training System, July
2001

> provides a framework for a single inclusive

system of education and training
> based on the principles of human rights and
social justice for all learners

> argues for transformation of the whole

education system
 WHAT AFFECTS THE
EDUCATION PROCESS?
Individual i.e.
Physical & Psychological Factors
Local Community i.e.:
Family, School, Class, Peer Group
Wider Community i.e.
Resources, Values, Social Interaction
Whole Social System i.e.
Resources, Values, Policies, Practices
And Structures.
 BARRIERS TO LEARNING
AND DEVELOPMENT
• Socio-Economic Barriers

• Lack of Access to Basic Services

 
• Poverty and Underdevelopment
 
• Factors Which Place Learners at Risk
 
• Attitudes
 BARRIERS TO LEARNING
AND DEVELOPMENT

• Inflexible Curriculum

•  Language and Communication

 
• Inaccessible and Unsafe Built Environment
 
• Lack of Parental Recognition and Involvement
 
• Disability