Effect of clinic experience on pre-service professionals perceptions of applied special needs services / Effect of clinic experience on pre-service professionals perceptions of applied special needs services

ABSTRACT

With the understanding that the attitudes and expectations a teacher carries into the classroom directly affect student achievement, this study was administered to evaluate the cognitive affect that clinical experience incorporating individuals with disabilities had on pre-service exercise science professionals. University Students with and withoutexperience in an adapted clinical environment were given surveys covering attitudes and perceptions towards classroom atmosphere, teachers? instructional techniques, inclusion, and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed and used to determine pedagogical implications. Findings suggest that pre-service educators tend to feel unprepared and ill-equipped to work in an inclusive educational environment. Therefore, pre-service teacher programs should ideally include coursework in adaptive education and experiential components such as practicum, experience, and clinical experience. In addition, a school-universitycollaborative relationship can facilitate beneficial outcomes to future educators as well as special needs populations.