Development of Problem-Solving Skills of a Student with Cochlear Implant in Social Studies: An Action Research

Children with hearing loss may have difficulty controlling/manipulating variables when solving multi-item problems when their language skills are not fully developed. Therefore, this situation limits students with hearing loss from using the strategies needed to solve problems. The aim of this research is to study the developmental process of the problem-solving skills of a student with a cochlear implant in Social Studies courses in an inclusive environment. This paper presents action research. The participants of the study consisted of a 6th grade student with cochlear implant in an inclusive environment, the researcher, the social studies teacher, and the members of the validity committee. The research was conducted between September 27, 2022, and January 5, 2023. Research data were collected using individualized education program, instructional plans and audio-visual materials, observations, interviews, documents, problem solving skill assessment rubric and research journal. Based on the outcomes of a fourteen-week teaching practice, it can be claimed that the student has gained an awareness of the operations in the problem-solving process; however, he still has difficulty transferring his existing knowledge of Social Studies subjects and applying it to new tasks, and there is a persisting need for supplementary education in performing these operations independently.