Özet:

In this study, the perceptions of primary school teacher candidates regarding the characteristics and education of gifted students were examined. This qualitative study was conducted with a phenomenological research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 62 primary school classroom teachers who were selected using the criterion sampling method. Interview data were analyzed via the descriptive analysis method. The findings of the study showed that primary classroom teacher candidates generally defined giftedness according to the dimensions of high-level mental performance/intelligence and creativity. They considered expert evaluations important in the diagnosis of giftedness, and they also highlighted the importance of identifying the interests of gifted students and applying additional activities and differentiated instructional practices in their education. A particularly noteworthy finding of this study was that primary school teacher candidates considered the lack of competency and knowledge among classroom teachers regarding giftedness as one of the major problems that gifted students may experience in the course of their primary education. 

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