Browsing by Subject "Alternative assessment tools"
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Item Open Access Instructors and administrators' attitudes towards project work as an alternative assessment tool and as an instructional approach at Karadeniz Technical University School of Foreign Languages Department of Basic English(Bilkent University, 2005) Gökçen, Ramazan AlparslanThe study investigated the attitudes of the instructors of English currently working at Karadeniz Technical University School of Foreign Languages Department of Basic English towards project work as an alternative assessment and as an instructional approach and their knowledge about project work. In this study administrators’ views on implementation of project work in the program is also investigated. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires. First the instructors were given a questionnaire. Second interviews conducted both with administrators and volunteer instructors. The results of data analysis revealed that both instructors and administrators working for Karadeniz Technical University School of Foreign Languages Department of Basic English have positive attitudes towards project work as an alternative assessment and as an instructional tool. Most of the instructors found using project assessments more satisfying and acceptable than using traditional pencil-paper tests such as multiple-choice or short answer tests. However, the analysis interviews revealed that some of the instructors have difficulties in implementing projects in their classroom. The results of the interviews conducted with administrators also revealed that there is a need for in-service training for instructors in respect to use of projects. Moreover, the results of this study suggest that participants have some concerns about current implementation of project work at KTU and a variety of suggestions for possible improvements. This study suggests that if the instructors are given enough training about use of projects, the benefits of project work may be maximized in the curriculum.Item Open Access Project work : How well does it work? : Assessment of Students and Teachers about Main Course Project Work at Yıldız Technical University School of Foreign Language Basic English Department(Bilkent University, 2006) Kemaloğlu, ElifThis study investigated the students’ and teachers’ assessments about Main Course project work applied at the English preparatory classes of Yıldız Technical University (YTU) School of Foreign Languages Basic English Department. The students from upper-intermediate and intermediate levels studying English in the preparatory classes of YTU and the teachers who supervised their projects participated in the research. They were asked to assess Main Course project work in respect to three aspects: (1) Achievement of institutional project work goals, (2) Learning gains acquired from project work, (3) Problems experienced with project work accompanied by suggested solutions. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The results of the data analysis revealed that in general, institutional project work goals were moderately achieved. The reported learning gains included content learning; vocabulary improvement; improvement of research, oral presentation, writing, translation and computer skills; grammar reinforcement, and raising consciousness about the benefits of disciplined studying. The major problems found were about project topics, inadequate teacher support, lack of improvement in speaking and listening skills at a desired level, excessive use of translation, and plagiarism. A variety of suggestions were made for these problems emphasizing the necessity of collaboration and negotiation between students, teachers, and administrators in addition to the significance of a well-structured project training.