TEACHERS' AND SPECIAL EDUCATORS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE USE OF COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION – BASIC REVIEW CONCEPTS

Abstract

Distance learning has characterized the previous school years, both in Serbia and worldwide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition from traditional forms of teaching to online learning happened quickly and unexpectedly, leaving many educators unprepared for this form of teaching. Some teachers encountered difficulties using various online platforms for conducting classes, due to a lack of platforms, insufficient time to shift from traditional to electronic teaching, and a lack of skills in using information technology and computers. Given this, the goal of this research is to determine the attitudes of teachers and special educators towards the use of computers and modern technology in teaching. The reason for comparing these three groups of respondents lies in the fact that there are few studies in our region that examine the attitudes of both teachers and special educators. The sample consisted of 248 respondents, of which 86 were primary school teachers (34.67%), 53 were subject teachers (21.33%), and 109 were special educators (44%). A modified version of the Teachers' Attitudes Toward Computers Questionnaire was used. The results show that the majority of respondents have positive attitudes towards computers and their use in teaching. Primary school teachers and subject teachers working in regular schools show more positive attitudes towards the use of computers compared to special educators. We believe that the positive attitudes of teachers and special educators contribute to the integration of computers into the teaching process, both now when teaching is conducted in a hybrid format, and in the present when students return to traditional classrooms.