Review of the Opinions of Vocational High School Teachers, Students, and Administrators on the Interactive Whiteboard

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to determine whether there was a difference in teachers' levels of interactive whiteboard usage, their self-efficacy, and opinions before and after the Use of Technology in Education Course (UTEC) in vocational high schools where FATIH project was implemented. Research participants constituted of teachers and school administrators, and students attending Telkari Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in which interactive whiteboard installation was made within the framework of FATIH project in Midyat district of Mardin province and who attended UTEC training in the 2015-2016 academic year. In this study, a mixed research method model was used. Data were collected through scale, survey and semi-structured interview forms. Quantitative data were analyzed by mean and t-test, and qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. In conclusion of the study, it was observed that there was no significant change in the self-efficacy of teachers using interactive whiteboard and their level of using interactive whiteboard after UTEC training. Furthermore, it was observed that teachers were unable to develop materials for the interactive whiteboard before UTEC training, and after the UTEC training, they were able to prepare materials in part. This fact has revealed that the UTEC training content was not sufficient in material development for the interactive whiteboard. The students, on the other hand, indicated that they preferred the courses used on the interactive whiteboard and asked the teachers to continue using the interactive whiteboard. Participant students indicated that interactive whiteboard failures also adversely affected the lesson. Teachers, students, and school administrators reported that use an interactive whiteboard in the course increased student success and positively affected interest and participation in the course.