Formation of knowledge about national traditions in high school students with intellectual disabilities through modern technologies

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to get teachers’ opinions in order to provide knowledge about national traditions in mentally retarded high school students through modern technologies. This research was designed in a qualitative manner. The participant group of the research consists of 40 high school teachers who teach students with intellectual disabilities in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Research data were collected with a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. As a result of the research, the majority of teachers participating in the research stated that they strongly support the use of modern technologies in order to ensure the formation of knowledge about national traditions among mentally handicapped students. On the other hand, the majority of the teachers participating in the research stated that they sometimes make use of modern technologies in order to create knowledge about national traditions among mentally handicapped students. The majority of the teachers participating in the research were interested in what could be done by making use of modern technologies in order to provide knowledge about national traditions among mentally handicapped students. They responded by creating a new course on national traditions, training students on the use of technology, integrating mobile technologies into education and providing in-service training to teachers. Some teachers stated that the technological opportunities of schools should be increased; a blended learning environment should be created; the physical environment of the classrooms should be created with materials related to national traditions; student participation activities should be created; and a teaching plan related to national traditions should be created. Keywords: National traditions, modern technologies, intellectual disability, teacher opinions;