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

Abstract

The 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.