Teachers opinions about contribution to aquisition of cognitive skills of visual arts lessons to mentally disabled students (Ankara province, example)

June 2012In this research, it is evaluated that Visual Arts lessons contribution to mentally disabled students cognitive skill acquisition (Ankara province, example). Universe of the research consists of 10 visual arts teachers and 187 special education teachers in for 197 teachers who teach visual arts lessons that works in training schools affiliated to Ankara Directorate of National Education in 2011-2012.Because one training school is inactive instead of 14, example of the research consists of 13 training schools which are active and affiliated to Ankara Directorate of National Education in 2011-2012. As part of the research 13 active training schools were visited and conducted a questionnaire in person. Data acquired from questionnaire form is analyzed in SPSS program. Thus, In order to determine the statistical difference on teachers? perception points; according to branches whether being visual arts or special education, Mann Whitney U test is utilized and in order to determine the difference in points according to genders, independent samples t-test is utilized. Results of the analysis explained according to mean and p values.In the research:No significant difference is found between visual arts teachers and special education teachers on students? acquisition of; color and dimension concepts, writing, counting and piece concepts, problem solving and ability of using writing tools, drawing a line, matching and discriminating skills, shape, size, location concepts, limited painting skills, color concept, visual memory and retention skills, classifyingand grouping skills, skills of reflection the observations, impressions, feelings and thoughts using colors and shapes, magnitude, length, thickness and quantity concepts. But there is a slight difference might be observed when the mean points are analyzed.Between teachers? thoughts according to genders significant difference is found on students? acquisition of; color and dimension and location concepts, writing skills, visual memory skills, retention skills, skills of reflection of observations, impressions, feelings and thoughts using colors and shapes. Between genders, teachers? thoughts did not differ significantly on students? acquisition of drawing a line, matching, discriminating, counting skills and piece concept, limited painting skills, color concept, classifying, grouping, and problem solving skills, ability of using writing tools, magnitude, length, thickness and quantity concepts. Also at the end of this study researcher?s suggestions are introduced depending on the problems emerged.