Opinions of Pre-service Teachers About the Education of Individuals with Special Needs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the opinions of pre-service teachers about the education of individuals with special needs. This study employed a case study methodology. A semi-structured form was distributed to a total of 104 pre-service teachers. Descriptive analysis was used for data analysis. It was concluded that 98% of the teacher candidates thought they should take the responsibility in the education of individuals with special needs. Pre-service teachers thought that they would be most beneficial for physically disabled people and the least beneficial for mentally disabled people. The reasons for these thoughts were that individuals in these groups learned more easily than individuals in other special education groups, the presence/absence of necessary and sufficient training given to the candidates in terms of special education, and the presence/absence of their experience with individuals with special needs.