There has been statistical data as well as many research-based works that show the low-income scholars and special education students are less likely to practice student-centred projects. Reasons can be many, for example, the lack of access is due to contained favouritism or sometimes, problems with classroom management skills and resources.

There has been a myth that Project Based Learning or PBL is only helpful for kids who do not have any special needs. Moreover, teaching special education can be a hard-hitting gig along with many challenges but the sad part is this is highly underrated. In many situations or cases, it has been seen that students with various special needs have emerged as the coolest kids on campus.

Keeping all things in mind, PBL has truly changed the vision of inclusive special education for learners with the most substantial support needs.

You must be wondering HOW? Let’s dive in.

Project Based Learning is an outstanding way to distinguish education in a full inclusive classroom where students may be of widely different aptitudes. Starting from the cognitively challenged to the gifted children, from autistic children to learning differences, PBL learning is exceptional in resource accommodations or self-contained classrooms.

The major markers of positive inclusion in school communities are –

• Existence of differentiated instruction
• Interdisciplinary content
• Collaboration
• Integrating technology
• Provisions and accommodations
• Self-determination
• Trustworthy assessment

You will see these elements are present the fundamentals of Project Based Learning with incredible reliability.

The Educational Objectives of PBL —

Following are the various educational objectives of Project Based Learning: –

1. To expand the concept of retention in a range of learners successfully.
2. When learners are being asked to use their knowledge, they are usually driven to use higher-level thinking aids.
3. As your students may come from different learning styles apart from just the students with special needs, hence, Multi-Sensory education is needed.
4. Preparing the students to work collaboratively in groups effectively because the future jobs will require this aspect too apart from just the higher levels of training.
5. Using an introduction to plan different standards can put learners of variable special needs on a level playing ground.
6. Student engagement is a must in Project Based Learning.
7. PBL is customizable to fit every learner’s individual learning requirements.

As gifted students struggle with appropriate social interactions,PBL aids build social and presentation assistance.

Project Based Teaching Practices

These are the major Project Based Learning teaching professionals’ practices. Most educators like working collaboratively with their colleagues while scheduling and applying for projects. Moreover, the PBL teachers find it satisfying to work thoroughly alongside pupils too.

Here, the point Design & Plan means teachers usually form a project for their framework as well as for their students, and plan its execution.

Create the culture stands for how the educators implicitly encourage student individuality and development, team spirit, and attention to excellence.

Managing various activities signifies the fact that instructors work with learners to organize household tasks and schedules, set checkpoints and goals, find and use resources, and so on.

By the term,scaffold student learning indicates teachers execute a variety of instructions, tools, and learning strategies to support all students in reaching their potential goals.

Assessments mean educators use various formative and collective assessments of knowledge, understanding, and success assistances, and include self and peer valuation of a team as well as an individual effort.

Engage & coach establishes the fact that teachers engage in education and creating together with identifying when students need skill-building, redirection, inspiration, and celebration.

How Project-Based Learning Aids Special Needs Students?

Here are the major benefits to PBL that will precisely work for special education learners—

• Project-Based Learning often includes numerous different learning styles. As a result, when a student with a special need learns something, he/she will be able to educate by understanding the content.
• PBL is generally based on important skills or consequences. Here, the learners get at these results via the project works. As long as they all comprehend the same thoughts at the end, learners can work at their own pace and strengths.
• Project-Based Learning is typically collaborative in nature, so students with social and emotional differences and struggles gain proper knowledge.
• PBL delivers learners a sense of self-efficacy, or self-confidence in their own aptitude to achieve different targets. This is very helpful for students with special needs.
• Project-Based Learning can develop the memory, organizational skills and overall decision-making skills of special education apprentices.
• Project-Based Learning makes school more engaging for schoolchildren.
• PBL approach encourages students to become independent workforces, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Indeed, it is a known fact that children have numerous learning styles. The young learners build their knowledge on variable backgrounds and experiences. When children are involved in what they are learning, they achieve at a higher level and PBL addresses these areas of concern.

If you are wondering how to implement the PBL approach, here are the steps –

1. Essential Question

You need to start with the essential question at first. This will launch a PBL lesson for your learners. It is mostly open-ended. Try to choose a question about a problem so that by answering, your students may understand they are having an impact.Make it appropriate for them.

2. Plan for the Project

Here, you must have in mind which content values will be addressed in the project. If you wish, you can include your students in planning. Try to select actions that support the question and exploit the curriculum.

3. Prepare A Schedule

After that, you need to plan a timeline for project resources. Be flexible, include issues like how many days will be dedicated for the project?What time allowance will be specified for the project? And so on.

4. Monitor The Learners

Educate the students on how to work together, tell them that every part of the progression belongs to each individual. Provide enough resources with proper management.

5. Evaluate The Result

It can be of many needs and whenever if there’s an opportunity, allow the apprentices to conduct self-assessment.

In an inclusive classroom, students may have a variety of special educational needs, which makes specific teaching in various content areas essential. With the help of teaching assistant courses online , you will be able to identify these special children effectively. Eventually, when you implement a project-based approach in your class, it will work exceptionally well by delivering different learning opportunities.