Experiences of the Special Education Teacher Candidates in the Distance Teaching Practice Procedure

Authors : Duygu Büyükköse, Elçin Yüksel Akgün, Erkan Kurnaz

Pages : 1549-1587

Doi:10.46778/goputeb.1511495

View : 54 | Download : 30

Publication Date : 2024-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aims to investigate special education teacher candidates’ perspectives on the teaching practice procedure implemented through distance education during COVID-19. This study involved special education teacher candidates from 18 universities during the 2020-2021 academic year in Türkiye. Participants were chosen through an online form, and their involvement was entirely voluntary. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with content analysis. According to the research results, four main themes were identified: the overall process of the distance teaching practice procedure, the challenges encountered during this process, the outcomes of the process for candidate teachers, suggestions regarding the challenges experienced and the future distance special education teaching practices. The findings showed that teacher candidates had responsibilities, such as preparing lesson plans and programs, creating teaching materials, conducting online observation, and delivering lessons; however, various challenges were experienced in fulfilling these responsibilities. Teacher candidates encountered challenges related to technical issues, student and family participation, and communication during distance teaching practices. Despite these problems, the practices also yielded positive outcomes. Teacher candidates gained experience preparing plans and programs and working with students with special needs in a distance education context. However, most candidates stated that these experiences did not provide the necessary competencies required for face-to-face education and expressed their professional concerns. This research recommends improving technical infrastructures in distance education, providing information to increase family and student participation, and supporting teaching practices with more flexible and diverse educational methods. It is emphasized that further research should be conducted to improve the quality of distance education practices in the future, and training programs for teacher candidates should be developed to eliminate the identified problems.
Keywords : Uzaktan Eğitim, Öğretmenlik Uygulaması, COVID 19 Pandemisi, Özel Eğitim, Öğretmen Adayları