The Views of Special Education Department Students on the Use of Assistive Technologies in Special Education

Abstract

Assistive technologies are an important factor for individuals with special needs to benefit from educational services. The aim of this research is to determine the opinions and thoughts of special education students on the use of technologies. The study group of the research consisted of 41 teacher candidates studying in Cyprus and Russian universities in the special education department in their classes in the fall semester of the 2020–2021 academic year. With regard to the collection of research data, it aims to determine students’ views with the ‘Personal Information Form’ developed by the researchers to determine the demographic characteristics of the research group and the ‘Semi-Structured Interview Form’ prepared by the researchers. The descriptive analysis method was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the interview questions. As a result of the research, special education teacher candidates’ use of the assistive technologies is given in detail in the results section.

Cosine Similarity – A Computing Approach to Match Similarity Between Higher Education Programs and Job Market Demands Based on Maximum Number of Common Words

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“…In this context, it is seen that the concept of assistive technology has been brought to the literature. Although there are different definitions of assistive technology in the literature, it is generally defined as all kinds of tools and equipment prepared for individuals with special needs in order to acquire the targeted skills, the skills necessary to sustain their lives and to ensure that the skills acquired will be permanent (Billingsley, Israel, & Smith, 2011;Borg, Lindstrom, & Larsson, 2009;Genc, Babieva, Zarembo, Lobanova, & Malakhova, 2021;Pettersson & Fahlstrom, 2010;Reed & Bowser, 2005;Seal, Polgar, Shaw, & Jutai, 2011). In other words, assistive technology is defined as tools used to minimise restrictions on the interaction of a person with special needs and to provide an accessible environment for people with special needs.…”

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