Classroom teachers and teacher educators' perceptions about the new elementary school curriculum in Kars


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Eğitim Bilimleri Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2010

Öğrenci: TUĞBA YALÇIN

Danışman: HANİFE AKAR

Özet:

This cross sectional survey study examined the perceptions of classroom teachers in urban regions of Kars Province including its towns and teacher educators in Kafkas University about the new elementary school curriculum in Kars Province. It also revealed their perceptions about the strengths and weaknesses of the elementary school curriculum, students’ educational needs from the window of local characteristics of Kars, and classroom teachers’ needs with regard to the new elementary school curriculum. The data were collected from classroom teachers based on the responses they gave on a survey questionnaire and from interview data with teacher educators that was collected through a semi-structured interview form. Data gathered were analyzed utilizing content analysis method. The major findings of the study revealed the following about that the new elementary school curriculum: (1) active student understanding and common skills were mentioned; (2) its appropriateness to students’ level; (3) relevancy to students’ everyday life; (4) its comprehensiveness; and (5) variety that were somehow achieved. On the other hand, the findings also showed that there were problems with regard to the new elementary school curriculum: (1) lack of parental involvement to educational process in Kars; (2) over crowding of classrooms; (3) insufficient materials in schools; (4) insufficient in meeting local characteristics and conditions of Kars.