Design and Implementation of a STEM Activity for the Education of Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

Öz

This study aimed to design and implement an activity in which the STEM approach is included in the 5E model for the education of students with mild intellectual disabilities. The case study method was used in the research. Learning outcomes from different sources have been brought together, taking into account student needs in the activity design. After determining aspects such as the activity's duration, methods, and techniques, the application portion of the activity is structured. The engage step started with questions used to attract students' attention, STEM activity was embedded in the exploration step, and necessary explanations were made in line with the learning objectives in the explanation step. In the elaboration phase, sapling planting work was carried out in the school garden with the students. For the evaluation part, the researchers created a "Rating Scale" following the learning objectives. A semi-structured interview form was also created to obtain students' opinions at the end of the STEM activity. When the design for the activity was finally finished, it was implemented at a vocational school that targeted students with mild intellectual disabilities. The study group comprised 8 high school students with mild intellectual disabilities (two females and six males), identified by convenience sampling among the purposeful sampling methods. At the and of this research it was noted that the activity helped the students meet the necessary learning objectives. Semi-structured interviews conducted with the students revealed that they enjoyed and enjoyed the activity. Due to the fact that the STEM approach facilitates the multifaceted development of students, it may be suggested that this approach be used more often in the education of students with mild intellectual disabilities.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• stem
• individuals with mild intellectual disabilities
• robotic technologies
• photosynthesis plant cultivation

Hafif Düzeyde Zihinsel Engelli Öğrencilerin Eğitiminde Kullanılmak Üzere Bir STEM Etkinliği Geliştirilmesi ve Uygulanması

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, hafif düzeyde zihinsel yetersizliği olan öğrencilerin eğitiminde STEM yaklaşımının 5E modeline entegre edildiği bir etkinlik geliştirilmesi, uygulanmasıdır. Araştırmada durum çalışması yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Etkinlik tasarımında öğrenci ihtiyaçları dikkate alınarak farklı kaynaklardan kazanımlar bir araya getirilmiştir. Etkinliğin süresi, kullanılacak yöntem ve teknikler gibi kısımlar belirlendikten sonra, etkinliğin uygulanması kısmı yapılandırılmıştır. Girme basamağı öğrencilerin dikkatini çekmek için kullanılan sorularla başlamış, keşfetme basamağına STEM aktivitesi gömülmüş, açıklama basamağında kazanımlar doğrultusunda gerekli açıklamalar yapılmıştır. Derinleştirme basamağında da öğrencilerle birlikte okul bahçesinde fidan dikme çalışması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Değerlendirme kısmı için kazanımlar doğrultusunda araştırmacılar tarafından "Derecelendirme Ölçeği" geliştirilmiştir. Ayrıca, STEM etkinliği sonunda öğrencilerin görüşlerini almak için yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu oluşturulmuştur. Etkinlik tasarımı tamamlandıktan sonra hafif düzeyde zihinsel yetersizliği olan öğrencilerin eğitim aldığı bir meslek okulunda uygulanmıştır. Çalışma grubu, amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden kolay ulaşılabilir örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen 8 hafif düzeyde zihinsel yetersizliği olan lise öğrencisidir (2 kız, 6 erkek). Çalışmanın sonunda gerçekleştirilen etkinliğin öğrencilerin ilgili kazanımları elde etmelerine katkı sağladığı görülmüştür. Öğrencilerle gerçekleştirilen yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler etkinlikten hoşlandıklarını ve keyif aldıklarını ortaya koymuştur. STEM yaklaşımının öğrencilerin çok yönlü gelişimine olanak sağladığı düşünülürse, hafif düzeyde zihinsel yetersizliği olan öğrencilerin eğitiminde bu yaklaşımın kullanımının artırılması önerilebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• stem
• hafif düzeyde zihinsel engelli birey
• robotik teknolojiler
• fotosentez
• bitki yetiştirme

Kaynakça

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