Teachers' views on computer using in education of students with mental disabilities

The purpose of the study can be described as revealing teachers' views on computer using in education of students with mental disabilities. This study has a qualitative research design and the research pattern is phenomenology. The study was conducted via semi-structured interview technique with 19 special education teachers who work in third stage private educational institutions which are located in Ankara on 2015-2016 school year. Interviews were organized in accordance with "content analysis" technique. Research findings were classified into 13 main themes. According to findings of the research, it is seen that approaches of special education teachers on computer using in lessons are positive. It was found that special education teachers lay emphasis on necessity of asking expert opinion about the material, program, content and expert opinion in the case of computer using. It is seen that teachers take advantage of smart boards, portals (EBA, Okulistik, Morpa), videos and virtual tests in teaching with the computer. Special education teachers find the computer useful in teaching how to read and write. It was found that teachers use the computer in teaching how to read and write in order to interpret reading texts, use images, use audio stories, do working sheets and tests. It is seen that special education teachers who find computer beneficial also use the computer in teaching skills and concepts with videos, ready to use materials, cartoons. Interviewees find the computer useful in teaching mathematics and they expressed that the computer is used with the purpose of downloading exercises and working sheets, doing tests via smart board, getting students to watch videos and making visual activities. According to interviews conducted with teachers, they use the computer in teaching language and speaking abilities as audio-visual videos, getting students to read visual texts and to watch films. It is seen that special education teachers use the computer in teaching self-care skills as video and slide presentations, getting students to watch cartoons. It was understood that, the computer is used in teaching social skills. Key Words: Mentally disabled, teacher views, education with computer