SUGGESTIONS RELATED TO THE EVALUATION OF THE EXCEL COURSE AT COMPUTER EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES DEPARTMENTS

Abstract

The practical application aspect is important for the Excel course included in the curriculum of the Computer Education and Instructional Technologies Department (CEIT). However, the approach adopted when it comes to evaluations and grading is one sided. This study takes the example of an Excel course offered at the Near East University Ataturk Faculty of Education CEIT department and evaluates it according to the Metfessel-Michael program evaluation model. This evaluation was conducted within the timeframe as stated in the schedule. The study used mixed methods research and the opinions of students, employees working in this field, teaching staff and various administrators were collected via questionnaire, observation forms and face to face interviews. Quantitatively the differences between the two classes were evaluated according to common criteria and the correlative technique was used. This study concludes that as the Excel course has a large practical component, a multifaceted evaluation method with practical examinations and in-class assignments at the computer would better evaluate the students’ achievements. This study also discovered a need for regulations that would allow the use of the results of practical Excel examinations as exam results.