EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION ON CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL PERIOD: TEACHERS’ OPINIONS

Abstract

In this study; It is aimed to examine the effects of distance education on preschool children. In this study, a case study based on qualitative data made with semi-structured interview technique was conducted by the preschool teachers of children who went to the preschool institution to examine the effect of distance education on children, and analyzed by content analysis method. In the study conducted in the COVID-19 epidemic period in the 2019-2020 spring period, the teachers of the students going to public and private schools were interviewed from afar. When other results obtained from the study are analyzed, 35 pre-school teachers participated in the study and the majority of the study consists of women between the ages of 30 and 35. The majority of the participants are undergraduate graduates, and it is stated that they work in a private school and are also teachers for 6 years or more. In addition, while it was stated that distance education is inefficient compared to face to face education, it was determined that the biggest problem in the distance education process was communication. It has been found that the greatest contribution of distance education in the pandemic process is that it ensures that children do not leave education.

Keywords: Education, preschool period, child, child development, technology, distance education, preschool teacher.