Inclusion and Engagement

Inclusion refers to “the process of improving the participation of individuals and groups in society and improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity. An inclusive community respects differences among its members and embraces the means of enhancing the well­ being of every member of the community” (Chennat, 2019, p. 39). As a result, an inclusive classroom is a classroom where all students are supported intellectually, emotionally, and academically, regardless of their needs, impairments, or exceptionalities. Inclusive classrooms are essential for the learning and development of all students.

Structuring the classroom environment to support all children begins with the design of the physical space. It is important to remember that “integration — simply placing children in the same space together — isn’t inclusion” (Inclusion BC, 2017, p. 3). One way we can work towards inclusion in our schools is through creating thoughtful and purposeful classroom environments.

What is Inclusion?

Student engagement can be defined as “the heightened simultaneous experience of concentration, interest, and enjoyment in the task at hand” (Shernoff, 2013, p. 12). There are three different, but interrelated, dimensions of engagement: behavioral, cognitive, and emotional. Cognitive and emotional engagement refer to the extent to which students value and connect with classroom activities. Behavioral engagement is the observable and physical act of students participating in academic activities and learning (Macklem, 2015).

Physical environments can be sources of social stress, as they create opportunities for shared experiences with others, whether positive or negative. This is especially true in schools. “Social stress is a psychological and biological pressure that stems from one’s relationship with others in social environments, which has become the most serious humanitarian issue today” (Pourbagher et al., 2021, p. 189). Learning environments have been shown to be one of the most important factors for reducing or increasing social stress and concentration (Pourbagher et al., 2021). Concentration can be understood as “the amount of focused time that a person can spend on a task without becoming distressed. Attention or concentration is important for the achievement of one’s goals according to most educators and psychologists” (Pourbagher et al., 2021, p. 190).

When contemplating the various elements of the classroom environment, it is important to consider the impact that they will have on both inclusion and engagement. This was the focus of my research, and it is evident based on the latest literature that student inclusion and engagement are crucial aspects of the education system.