Handbook of Inclusive Learning and Teaching in Business and Management: Chapter 9: A transformative learning and teaching approach to inclusive education

In this chapter, we propose a transformative learning and teaching approach to achieve inclusive education. This approach is based on transformative learning theory, which takes into account learners’ contexts and experiences, and focuses on the purpose and goals of learning. The approach comprises four main steps: 1) Setting up a context for learning that draws from various cultural, economic, and social contexts; 2) Preparing uncertain, provisional content and curricula grounded in real-world knowledge; 3) Adopting transformative pedagogy, which aims to develop a learning community that respects diversity and inclusion, promoting learning with reflection, openness and collaboration; 4) Achieving the outcomes of transformative and inclusive learning, establishing identities, building a sense of belonging, learning with purpose, and creating a diverse and inclusive mindset. These outcomes enable the students to fully participate and co-create learning with their peers and teachers. This chapter provides an illustrative example to demonstrate the proposed transformative approach.