The Effectiveness of an In-Service Training Program for Improving the General Levels of English of Anatolian High School Science and Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the inservice training (INSET) program organized for improving the general English levels of Anatolian High School science and mathematics teachers. During the study, Orlich's AAIM (Awareness, Application, Implementation, Maintenance) Model (1979) and Caldwell's Model (1989) were used. The subjects were high school science and mathematics teachers at various levels. During the study quantitative and the qualitative data were collected. The quantitative data was collected through opinionnaires given to the participants and the instructors in the INSET program. The observation forms were utilized during the program to observe the actualization of the strategies, methods and tecniques in classrooms. When the participants were back at their schools, the implementation and maintenance level opinnionnaire was used to study their views about the program. The results of the opinionnaires and observations revealed that during the various levels of program, various institutional attempts had been made through utilizing various techniques, methods, activities and supplying various resources to satisfy the participants' needs and expectations. However, when the participants were back at their schools, it was reported that they could not implement and maintain their new learning in their school and daily classroom activities. Finally, the effectiveness and success of any INSET program depends on the actualization of the implementation and maintenance in professional performance of the participants of what has been developed during the program. That is, the implementation and maintenance levels of the programs should be examined completely to ensure the effectiveness and success of the INSET programs.