Metaphorical Perceptions of Preservice Teachers of Fine Arts Education towards Students with Special Needs (The case of Gazi University)

This study aims to identify the metaphors belonging to the preservice teachers of the Fine Arts Education Department of Gazi Faculty of Education about the students with special needs. Phenomenology design was used within the scope of the qualitative research model. The study group consisted of 267 volunteer preservice teachers studying at the first, second, third and fourth grades of the Fine Arts Education Department. The data of the study were collected through a form with the open-ended statement of “To me, students with disabilities are like ......; because, …….”. The content analysis technique was used for data analysis. The findings of the study show that preservice teachers produced 102 metaphors that were classified into eight categories. As a result, it is observed that the metaphors of flowers and everybody were used frequently about the students with special needs. It is concluded that preservice teachers perceptions of students with special needs are generally positive.