Evaluation of In-service training seminars in terms of the views of teachers

Abstract

This study aims at determining the views of senior high school teachers on in-service training seminars provided by the Ministry of Education in Turkey. The sampling of the study consisted of 114 senior high school teachers (42 female, 72 male) who volunteered to fill in the survey, working at state secondary schools in Bartın city in 2015-2016 academic year. Descriptive survey model was used to carry out the study. The data were collected through a scale consisting of 21 five point likert-type items and one open ended item, which was validated by the academicians in the field of education. The open ended item asked “what should be done to increase the efficiency of in-service training seminars? The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS at 95% confidence interval. The answers for the open ended item were analysed through content analysis in which teachers’ suggestions were analysed systematically and grouped under main categories. It was found out in the study that the views of teachers don’t change significantly with respect to gender, experience and field of instruction (p> .05). In the open ended item, teachers mostly suggest that the seminars should be given by trainers with an academic career who are experts in the related field and familiar with the realities of teaching profession and they also state that the needs of teachers should be taken into consideration while planning the in-service training seminars. In-service training seminars should be sustained but revised taking into account the views and needs of teachers in order to increase their efficiency and participation of teachers.