The investigation of elementary school teachers candidates' information level and thoughts about their competence about spesific learning disabilities

In this research, the survey model was used to examine elementary school teachers candidates' information level, thoughts about their competence and willingness to learn about specific learning disabilities (SLD). The participants were 213 teacher candidates from 4 different universities who were in their last year of education during the spring term of the 2016-2017 and the fall term of the 2017-2018 academic years. In the research, "Specific Learning Disability Questionnaire" developed by Yiğiter (2005) and 7 open ended questions developed by the researcher were used as data collection tools. In the analysis of the questionnaire, each teacher candidate was grouped according to their correct answers and the average score of the teacher candidates had in the questionnaire was calculated. Content analysis was used in the analysis of teacher candidates' answers that gave to open-ended questions. As a result of the research, it was determined that elementary school teacher candidates have medium level information about SLD, furthermore most of them think that they haven't enough information about SLD. In addition to these, the research demonstrated that the teacher candidates are eager to learn more information about SLD and they considered themselves most sufficiant in characteristics and symptoms of the children and at least in the methods and techniques to be applied in teaching. On the other side, despite the fact that it is seen that internet is the most used tool for obtaining information, it is also the least reliable source. Based on the results of research, it is proposed to increase the number and quality of courses given to the elementary school teacher candidates during their undergraduate education and to give opportunities them to practice on the topics related to the SLD. Keywords: Elemantary school teacher candidates, specific learning disability, information level