ENHANCING PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THROUGH THE 7ES APPROACH IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS
Keywords:
7Es Instructional Model, Inclusive Education, Student Participation, Special Needs LearnersAbstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of the 7Es instructional model (Elicit, Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate, and Extend) in enhancing the participation of students with special needs in inclusive classrooms. Grounded in constructivist theory, the study adopted a quasi-experimental design involving two inclusive primary schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 60 pupils (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) participated. The experimental group was taught using the 7Es approach, while the control group received traditional instruction. Data were collected using the Classroom Participation Observation Checklist (CPOC) and a teacher questionnaire. Results indicated a statistically significant improvement in participation levels among students with special needs in the experimental group compared to the control group. The study recommends integrating the 7Es model in teacher training programs to foster inclusive practices.
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