Does preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities during their practicum impact their attitudes and teaching practices? "If you don't have the heart, you can't cope ... ".
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| Title: | Does preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities during their practicum impact their attitudes and teaching practices? "If you don't have the heart, you can't cope ... ". |
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| Authors: | Miezah, Daniel, Opoku, Maxwell Peprah, Fenu, Christopher, Deila Yankey, Keziah, Mensah Gyimah, Ebenezer, Nketsia, William |
| Source: | Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability. Sep2025, Vol. 50 Issue 3, p301-315. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Intellect, Stereotypes, Teaching methods, Descriptive statistics, Intellectual disabilities, Teachers, Longitudinal method, Thematic analysis, College teacher attitudes, Special education schools, Social skills, Special education, Discrimination (Sociology), Medical preceptorship, Data analysis software, Children |
| Geographic Terms: | Ghana |
| Abstract: | Background: This study sought to explore the effects of preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities on their attitudes. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by children with intellectual disabilities in Ghanaian schools. Method: Twenty-two preservice teachers who interned at a special school for children with intellectual disabilities were interviewed before and after their practicums, and the gathered data underwent thematic analysis. Results: There were changes in the participants' knowledge and willingness to interact and work with children with intellectual disabilities. For instance, before the practicum, the participants held stereotypical understandings of intellectual disabilities. However, after their practicums, their level of discussion of the core characteristics of intellectual disabilities had improved. Conclusion: Based on these findings, this study concludes by recommending that contact with children with intellectual disabilities be included as an integral part of preservice teacher training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: This study sought to explore the effects of preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities on their attitudes. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by children with intellectual disabilities in Ghanaian schools. Method: Twenty-two preservice teachers who interned at a special school for children with intellectual disabilities were interviewed before and after their practicums, and the gathered data underwent thematic analysis. Results: There were changes in the participants' knowledge and willingness to interact and work with children with intellectual disabilities. For instance, before the practicum, the participants held stereotypical understandings of intellectual disabilities. However, after their practicums, their level of discussion of the core characteristics of intellectual disabilities had improved. Conclusion: Based on these findings, this study concludes by recommending that contact with children with intellectual disabilities be included as an integral part of preservice teacher training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 13668250 |
| DOI: | 10.3109/13668250.2024.2437757 |
