ONLINE UKULELE TRAINING DURING COVID-19: A CASE STUDY OF TURKEY ON PRESCHOOL TEACHER CANDIDATES

Abstract

In the present study, the purpose was to determine the opinions and suggestions of pre- school teacher candidates regarding distance ukulele training because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study design was determined as a case study based on a qualitative approach. The study group consisted of 32 pre-service teachers who were studying at the department of preschool education of a state university in Turkey. The participants were provided online ukulele training for twelve weeks as part of the preschool music education course. The data were collected through semi-structured video interviews and were then analysed under different themes with the content analysis method. Content analysis was conducted by three researchers to ensure researcher triangulation. Thirteen sub-themes emerged depending on five major themes (i.e. “Opportunities”, “Infrastructure System”, and “Motivation for Studying”,“ Synchronous & Asynchronous Lessons and Learning Outcomes). As a result of the study, it was found that students think that distance ukulele training had personal and professional contributions to teacher candidates during the pandemic process, but they preferred face-to-face education to distance education.