Evaluation of the modular education in anatolian hotel and tourism vocational high schools

In this study, the applicability in compliance to its goals, of the proficiency based modular curriculums that has been put into practice throughout all vocational high schools according to the Strengthening Vocational and Technical Education Project, has been evaluated regarding the execution in hospitality and tourism vocational high schools. The main purpose of the study is evaluating the effectiveness of the modular curriculum practices applied in the hospitality and tourism vocational high schools in line with the opinions of teachers.In this study, general screening model, which is a descriptive research method was used in regards to evaluate the applicability of modular curriculums in Anatolian hospitality and tourism vocational high schools. The research was conducted using surveys applied to teachers. The population of the surveys on the teachers consists of tourism vocational course teachers in hospitality and tourism vocational high schools. According to statistics obtained from Directorate General of Trade and Tourism Education in 2008-2009 academic year, the population size is 626. The questionnaire prepared to gather data was handed out to school principals, and 243 of the forms were returned. To determine whether this figure sufficiently represents the population, the sample formula was used, and the required sample size was found to be 238. The results of the research was evaluated using frequency analysis, t-test and ANOVA test.Results reveal that there exists problems with modular curriculums and their applications. Teachers think that definitions, content and aims in the prepared curriculum was adequate to provide the required proficiency levels. The most criticized part of the curriculum was the teaching materials, i.e. the module booklets. Teachers participating in the survey think that the facilities of their schools are incompatible with modular education. In conclusion, some suggestions as to rid the modular education system of its current defects were presented. It was emphasized that the curriculum has to be revised using the results of the study in order for the modular education system to have a more effective structure.