Usage of Digital Learning Material in Special Education

In this study, it is aimed to determine the opinions of special education teacher candidates regarding usage of digital learning materials in special education in their experience and reveal favorite digital learning materials platforms and reasons for preference. This study was designed with the phenomenological research method, and the participants of the research consisted of 49 freshman pre-service teachers of special education at a large university in the academic year of 2014-2015, Turkey. Research was continued for a total of 14 weeks: The first 6 weeks learning of digital learning material (DLM) tools, second 6 weeks learning augmented reality tool, 1 week developing materials and the last week interviewing with special education teacher candidates. Inductive content analysis was used in analyzing the data. Teacher candidates having their education at private institutions have stated that they wish to improve and use DLM. DLM is essential concerning increasing academic, social, self-care and communication skills. Additionally, teacher candidates have stated that DLMs support teachers with lower costs and time, student engagement, ease in preparation, fun and useful outcomes, and increase the variety and sources of materials. Participants have mentioned that unless the required technical equipment is provided, developing and using DLMs will not be possible.