Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
10th INTERNATIONAL MODERN SCIENCES CONGRESS, Bandar-Penggaram, Malezya, 10 - 14 Haziran 2024, ss.452-465
Defined as a digital platform or online space that simulates the experience of visiting a physical museum via the Internet, "virtual museums" play an important role in education by providing access to a variety of cultural and educational resources. In general, virtual museums serve as valuable educational tools that enrich learning experiences in educational environments, encourage participation and support lifelong learning. Using a variety of digital technologies and multimedia elements to provide an interactive and immersive learning experience, virtual museums enable children to explore the world's cultural heritage, expand their knowledge, and develop the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the perspectives of pre-service preschool teachers on the integration of virtual museums into preschool education. The study group of the research consisted of 34 pre-service preschool teachers in the third year of their undergraduate education. The data were collected with the "Preservice Teacher Interview Form on the Use of Virtual Museums in Preschool Education" and evaluated by content analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that the majority of pre-service teachers have not visited or used any virtual museum. It was determined that they wanted to receive training on virtual museums in terms of ease of access, affordability, always having access, providing real life experience, providing 360° detailed view, supporting and facilitating learning, low cost, seeing the unseen, and providing equal opportunity in education. While the advantages of using virtual museums include ease of access, affordability, enriching learning, equality of opportunity, saving time, being safe, appealing to different senses, practical, and attractive, the disadvantages include limiting learning by doing, technological problems, inadequate technological equipment of the classrooms, causing technology addiction in children, distracting their attention, and hindering their social skills. In addition, in order to make functional use of virtual museums in the preschool period, the majority of pre-service preschool teachers suggested providing training on this subject, increasing the technological equipment in the classrooms, making virtual museums widespread and improving existing practices.