Special and Inclusive Education

In research and development activities related to special education, the main focus areas of our work in recent years have included

• accessible learning and education
• developing inclusive education
• vocational special education.

In our project activities, we have also taken time to consider the availability and implementation of adult education and remedial education services in different stages of the educational career. Well-timed remedial actions can lower the barriers to adult learning and education as well as prevent lengthened study times and dropping out of school. Teacher Education College has strong know-how in the field of special education. Since 1986, we have trained vocational special education teachers and we are also a strong player in teachers' professional development training.

We have had an international dimension to our special education research and development activities already since the middle of the 1990s. Among other activities, we have taken part in international cooperation to develop the transitional stages in the educational and working careers of people with learning difficulties as well as more inclusive teaching.

In addition to international project activities, we work in different international expert positions. Together with our international partners, we prepare conference presentations and articles related to our development work.

Key words

• Need for special/individual support
• Accessibility
• Accessible university/education/school/learning
• Inclusive teaching / integrated school and education
• Flexible paths to education / learning
• Multi-professional cooperation
• Multicultural issues in teaching
• Developing teachers' skills and knowledge in special education
• Developing school structures and curricula
• Individualized learning

Special Education Projects

Coordinator in the following projects

• Towards Inclusive Learning Environments in Vocational Education and Training (TILE) 2011-2013
• Research project on the work of vocational special needs teachers (2008-2010)
• ESOK – Accessible studying at universities of applied sciences (2007-2008)
• Follow-up study related to the “Transition Lithuania” Project (2005-2006)
• Transition Lithuania – Transitions from comprehensive school to vocational education and the world of work (2003-2004)
• Transnet - Research project on the attitudes of Estonian vocational teachers towards inclusion (2004-2006)
• Transition Estonia, Facilitating transitions from comprehensive school to vocational education (2000-2003)
• SENECA - Special Education Needs European Competence Advancement (1997-2001)
• Research project on the work of vocational special needs teachers (2008-2009)

Partner in the following projects

• ALLin HE: Access to Lifelong Learning in Higher Education for All (2011-2014)
• SOS Network: Social Inclusion of Students with Special Needs into mainstream Vocational Education and Training (2011-2014)
• SENTRA - Supporting educational needs transition from school to college, university and work (2001-2004)
• Partnership between people and sectors in Serbia (2005-2006)

Further information

Leena Kaikkonen, Head of R&D&I, +358 40 5323162, firstname.lastname@jamk.fi