Classroom inclusion: using talents

This action research report - Growing Talents for Inclusion (GTI) - uses Appreciative Inquiry in order to improve the classroom environment. Originally focused on a year 8 class, the research was expanded to primary and secondary schools.

Key points:
- Appreciative Inquiry focuses on recognising the positives that already exist within a situation, and building on these.
- The researchers also suggested that Appreciative Inquiry could be used in a range of contexts. Are there other challenges within your class that could use Appreciative Inquiry? Can you identify other talents which could be developed?
- This project focused on improving social inclusion in classes. This was done by identifying behaviours that promote inclusion.
- The dynamics of a group can be improved if there is a common purpose like the class project in GTI which involves working with the class to democratically choose a class project that the students plan and carry out themselves.

Head teachers might like to consider the following implication:
- The researchers found that Growing Talent for Inclusion helped to improve relationships within individual classes. How might appreciative inquiry play a part in focusing discussions about enhancing citizenship and emotional literacy as part of the Every Child Matters agenda in your school?