Teachers’ Evaluations about Elective Mathematic Applications for 5th and 6th Grade Curriculum

AbstractIn Secondary Schools, Mathematics Applications course started to be taught at 5th and 6th grades in 2013-2014 academic year electively. The aim of this study is to analyze the curriculum of Mathematics Applications class in accordance with teachers’ viewpoints. In this research, interviewing technique of qualitative research methods is used. A semi-constructed interview form was prepared by the researchers. Interview form was finalized in accordance with expert views. In the research, with purposeful sampling method, interviews were conducted with 20 teachers who work at secondary schools in Pendik, Istanbul. Data collected in the interviews were analyzed via descriptive analysis method. Results achieved in the research: 1- The teachers were not adequately informed about the program, they reached the information about the curriculum on Internet sites. 2- The strength of the program was that it enabled more practice for students; whereas the shortcoming was that there were uncertainties in the implementation of the program. 3- Objectives aimed at the program were not clear and understandable, activities were not appropriate for students, and lack of examination in the evaluation decreased the level of students’ motivation towards the class. 4- That there was no course book and no teacher guide book was a big problem. 5- That there were high course dropout levels because grades did not have any place on term papers and the activities were not appropriate for the students’ level