The effectiveness of robot training in special education: a robot training model proposal for special education

In this research, robot training was conducted with teacher candidates in the department of special education, and the effectiveness of robot training was analyzed at the end of the training program. The design of the study is phenomenology. The study has been carried out with 44 teacher candidates from special education, selected by a purposeful sampling method. A nine-week robot training program was conducted for the teacher candidates. At the end of the training program, teacher candidates were interviewed, and the data obtained were subjected to in vivo and descriptive coding. The results of the study show that the robot training program is supportive for teacher candidates in many aspects. In the light of gathered data, a four-phased model of robot training for special education is proposed and discussed.