영재교육에 대한 유치원교사의 인식수준

This study is to examine the current problems of teaching gifted children and suggest elements(or factors) to be considered in setting up goals thereof by analyzing incumbent teachers awareness. 121 teachers were arbitrarily selected from 30 different kindergartens located in Seoul and Anyang, and they were interviewed with two parts questionnaires(or opinions) of improving current practice. The first part of the questionnaire is composed of the questions about teachers awareness of gifted children, actual state of teaching gifted children, effects of teaching in kindergarten for gifted children, and desired direction for teaching improvement. The second part of the questionnaire provided interpretation of precociousness by study habit, creativity and definitive properties and asked the number of children qualified in their classes. Since the results of the first interview as to awareness of gifted children were dismal, 40 teachers were thereafter randomly selected again, and the second interview was warranted. The results alarmingly revealed that program of teaching gifted children were barely existing even though the teachers awareness for the needs of special education for the precocious as well of study materials and programs thereof was high. In addition, the teachers familiarity of gifted children was surprisingly low. At the second interview whereby gifted children was explained, the teachers awareness of gifted children was dramatically improved to 40% in comparing with 7.4% at the first interview without explanation of gifted children. Teachers awareness of gifted children was low because of lacking direct or indirect experience of having gifted children and special programs therof in their classes as well as teachers nonchalance. Therefore not only adequate training and education of teachers, but also cultivation of qualified teachers for special programs for the precocious are obligatory. Training of incumbent teachers and determination of gifted children are prerequisite for timely discovery of gifted children and adequate education for them. Development of special education programs and diffusion are also crucial.