AN INVESTIGATION ON A COMPUTER-ASSISTED DIGITAL MUSICAL TEACHING MATERIAL FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION OF EDUCABLE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN IN TURKEY

Year 2018, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 583 - 594, 01.07.2018

Turan Sağer , Günsu Yılma Şakalar

Abstract

This study investigates the development and application processes of the Computer-Assisted Digital
Musical Teaching Material (Co-DiTeachMaterial) designed for easy and enjoyable musical learning of
mentally retarded children. Co-DiTeachMaterial-assisted learning for the basic elements of music and
recognizing various animated visuals through sounds are important for the development of auditory
and visual perception of these children. Experimental study were carried out in special education and
rehabilitation center with six children ranging from 7 to 11. Four modules, are created by researcher,
were applied one-to-one to students. Special education teachers were asked to report their opinions.
According to both the analysis reports and observation surveys, the children were more successful in
the tests of Musical Instruments module than other modules of the material. Results demonstrate that
lowest success rate in the Speed module was yielded and a consistent success in the modules of Sound
and Environmental Sounds was shown.

Keywords

Educable mentally retarded children, digital teaching material, disability, musical learning, special education and music

References

• Albrecht, Gary, (2011). Disability - a Global Picture. Chap. 2 World Report on Disability, edited by Sally Hartley, Venus Ilagan, eds., 36. Malta:World Health Organisation Pub. Al-Yaari, Sadeq and Ali Saad, Fayza Saleh Al Hammadi, Salah Ayied Alyami, (2013). Teaching Mentally Handicapped Children (MHC) Using Audio-Visual Aids: A Pedagogic & Psychoneurolinguistic Approach. International Journal of Language Education, Vol. 1, No:2, Special Issue, ISSN: 2325-0887. Aruk, Ibrahim, (2008). The Usage Of Informatic Technologies For Mentally Disabled in E-Learning and The Improvement Of An Application As An Example. MComp diss., Trakya University. Bezduz, Karatas, Reyhan, (1996). Examination and Evaluation of the Primary School Music Lesson Training Programme Educatible ‘Mentally Disabled’ Children. MEd diss., Gazi University. Celikoz, Nadir, (1997). Türkiye’de Bilgisayar Destekli Öğretimle İlgili Yapılan Çalışmalar. [Studies on Computer Assisted Instruction in Turkey]. Eğitim Yönetimi, Yıl 3, Sayı 4, 479-498. Edyburn, Dave L. (2001). Critical Issues in Special Education Technology Research: What Do We Know?What Do We Need to Know?. Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities, edited by M.Mastropieri & T. Scruggs (eds.), 95-118., NY: JAI Press. Kinali, Gulsevim. (2003). Zihin Engellilerde Beden-Resim-Müzik Eğitimi. Farklı Gelişen Çocuklar, Edited by Adnan Kulaksızoglu, 260. Istanbul: Epsilon Press. Milli Egitim Bakanlıgı, Ozel Ogretim Kurumlari Genel Mudurlugu, “Ozel Ogretim Kurumlari Standartlar Yonelgesi”, 8108, (Agustos 2012): 6-8. Milli Egitim Bakanlıgı, Ozel Ogretim Kurumlari Yonetmeligi, MEB Mevzuat, Resmi Gazete, 28656, Mayis 2013 Milli Egitim Bakanlıgı, Ozel Ogretim Kurumlari Genel Mudurlugu, “Ozel Egitim Okullarinin 12 Yillik Zorunlu Egitim Kapsaminda Donusumleri”, Yonetmelik, 143107, (Kasim 2012): 1-6 Sakarya, Ali, (2011). Development of Distant Learning System for Mentally Disabled Children in the Moodle Environment. MComp diss., Trakya University. Showe, Janet, (1962) A Guide For Teaching Educable Mentally Retarded Children in Primary and Intermediate Levels in Special Classes in New Haven, Connecticut. MSci diss., Southern Connecticut State College. Sen, Sevim, Ulku and Nezihe Senturk, (2014). Software Model (Based on the Methods of Programmed Instruction) Developed to be Used in Elementary Music Education, Journal of Education and Social Science, Number 202: 170-191. Senel, Gunayer, Hatice, (2006). Special Education in Turkey. European Journal of Special Needs Education 13:3, 254-261. doi: 10.1080/0885625980130304. Tibbetts, Donald, Gene, (1963). A Curriculum For Educable Mentally Retarded Children. MA diss., The Graduate Faculty of Chapman College. Topaloglu, Murat, (2008). Distance Education of Handicapped Children and Developing a Web- Based Software System. MComp diss., Trakya University. Turan, Duygu, (2006). A study on the Teachers' Point of View About Problems Encountered During Utilisation of Music for Special Education. MEd diss., Marmara University. Turkiye Istatistik Kurumu Analizleri [Turkish Statistical Institute Analysis], (2004). Engelli İstatistikleri [Disability Analysis] Accessed September 15 2016. http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreTablo.do?alt_id=1017