INC3701:
Inclusive Education (Generic
Module)
Year Module 2022
Assignment 05
, Question 1
1.1 Clarify the difference between theory and model. (10)
The difference between a model and a theory is that a model is a way to think and interpret events,
as well as objects. But a theory has scientific explanations which is the result of experimentation. A
theory is a scientifically studied concept that in most instances has been researched and can be
proven. Models are closely related to theory and the difference between a theory and a model is not
always clear. A model is a more basic or scaled down version of a theory. You can think of models as
theories with a more narrowly defined scope of explanation. A model is descriptive, whereas a
theory is explanatory as well as descriptive.
Definition
• Theory is a conceptual framework of an idea.
• Model is a verbal or a visual representation of a concept.
Nature
• Theory is used to explain things and is less practical.
• Model is used to simplify things and is more practical. Reality
• Theory explains a phenomenon and is intangible.
• Model simplifies a concept and most of the times it is tangible.
1.2 Critically discuss the following theories and models related to Inclusive Education.
1.2.1 Medical Deficit theories (10)
The medical model relies heavily on the medicalisation of disability. The medical model asserts that
disability is a biological product, and as this deficit is within the individual, this problem can, or
should be, ‘fixed’, allowing the person to be able to function in society. As disability in the medical
model is considered abnormal, it presumes a main goal of the individual is to be cured so they can be
‘normal’. The medical model is based on the medicalisation of disability and being within a person.
Therefore, the need for treatment must come from an external source, such as a doctor or therapist
(Shyman, 2016). This model sets boundaries of who needs to be cured and who does the curing. This
concept inadvertently influences how society views disability (Anastasiou & Kauffman, 2011). Society
sees disability as a misfortune, a hardship, something an individual must endure as their quality of
life is mediocre with limited opportunities. The medical model also generates emotive reactions of
sympathy, pity and reservation. It perpetuates social deviance, affecting societal attitudes and
causing negative conceptions that enable marginalisation and discriminatory acts such as
stereotyping and labelling.
In the early childhood classroom, a concept of disability can influence a teacher’s attitude and
expectations towards a child with impairments, and how a teacher interacts and perceives this child
is “critical to a successful educational experience”. Teachers, other children and members in the
school community are also influenced by conceptions of disability, sub-consciously judging and
categorising students with impairments immediately because of their physicality, the way they
behave around others, their ability to perform in class or their immediate diagnosis. Teachers may
automatically assume a child does not have the mental capacity for classroom work or activities, and
other children may distance themselves from an individual for a variety of reasons such as they do
Inclusive Education (Generic
Module)
Year Module 2022
Assignment 05
, Question 1
1.1 Clarify the difference between theory and model. (10)
The difference between a model and a theory is that a model is a way to think and interpret events,
as well as objects. But a theory has scientific explanations which is the result of experimentation. A
theory is a scientifically studied concept that in most instances has been researched and can be
proven. Models are closely related to theory and the difference between a theory and a model is not
always clear. A model is a more basic or scaled down version of a theory. You can think of models as
theories with a more narrowly defined scope of explanation. A model is descriptive, whereas a
theory is explanatory as well as descriptive.
Definition
• Theory is a conceptual framework of an idea.
• Model is a verbal or a visual representation of a concept.
Nature
• Theory is used to explain things and is less practical.
• Model is used to simplify things and is more practical. Reality
• Theory explains a phenomenon and is intangible.
• Model simplifies a concept and most of the times it is tangible.
1.2 Critically discuss the following theories and models related to Inclusive Education.
1.2.1 Medical Deficit theories (10)
The medical model relies heavily on the medicalisation of disability. The medical model asserts that
disability is a biological product, and as this deficit is within the individual, this problem can, or
should be, ‘fixed’, allowing the person to be able to function in society. As disability in the medical
model is considered abnormal, it presumes a main goal of the individual is to be cured so they can be
‘normal’. The medical model is based on the medicalisation of disability and being within a person.
Therefore, the need for treatment must come from an external source, such as a doctor or therapist
(Shyman, 2016). This model sets boundaries of who needs to be cured and who does the curing. This
concept inadvertently influences how society views disability (Anastasiou & Kauffman, 2011). Society
sees disability as a misfortune, a hardship, something an individual must endure as their quality of
life is mediocre with limited opportunities. The medical model also generates emotive reactions of
sympathy, pity and reservation. It perpetuates social deviance, affecting societal attitudes and
causing negative conceptions that enable marginalisation and discriminatory acts such as
stereotyping and labelling.
In the early childhood classroom, a concept of disability can influence a teacher’s attitude and
expectations towards a child with impairments, and how a teacher interacts and perceives this child
is “critical to a successful educational experience”. Teachers, other children and members in the
school community are also influenced by conceptions of disability, sub-consciously judging and
categorising students with impairments immediately because of their physicality, the way they
behave around others, their ability to perform in class or their immediate diagnosis. Teachers may
automatically assume a child does not have the mental capacity for classroom work or activities, and
other children may distance themselves from an individual for a variety of reasons such as they do
