Examination of Turkish Sign Language Education According to the Opinions of Preservice Teachers who Attend to the Sign Language Course
Articles > Article · 2017
Authors: Pelin PİŞTAV AKMEŞE, Hatice Nilay Kayhan
Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry (TOJQI), Refereed Journals of Other Institutions, International, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), 2017, vol 8, pp 1-38
Summary
<p>Sign language is one of the methods the hearing impaired individuals use to communicate.</p><p>The teachers have a great responsibility in the use of sign language as a communication tool</p><p>in educational environments. Thus, it is important to train teachers who know sign language</p><p>and can actively use it in education. This study aims to examine the opinions of the faculty of</p><p>education students who take elective sign language course related to Turkish Sign Language</p><p>education. In this study, which has been performed in descriptive design, semi-structured</p><p>interview technique from among qualitative research methods was used. For this purpose, a</p><p>semi-structured interview form was prepared and an expert's opinion was received. 62</p><p>preservice teachers from four different departments (Guidance and Counseling, Primary</p><p>Science Teaching, Computer Education and Instructional Technologies, Primary School</p><p>Teaching) who had completed sign language education were interviewed face-to-face. NVivo</p><p>program was used for the detailed and holistic analysis of the findings which reflected the</p><p>opinions of the preservice teachers. The data were divided into four main themes: "Effectiveness of Turkish Sign Language in daily communication", "Having hearing impaired</p><p>family members, relatives or friends", "Necessity (interest) for the Turkish Sign Language",</p><p>"Academic Efficacy of the Turkish Sign Language". The findings of this study are thought to</p><p>be able to contribute to the sign language course programs and professional competency of</p><p>the teachers who will serve in the field of special education.</p><p>Keywords: Turkish Sign Language, Turkish Sign Language course, hearing impaired,</p><p>communication, awareness</p>