Investigation of Fatih Project based on the perceptions of student, teachers, school administrators and parents

The FATIH (Increasing Opportunities and Improvement of Technology Movement) project which was announced in November 2010 by the Ministry of National Education, began as a pilot study in 17 cities and 52 schools for 2011-2012 educational year's second term in TURKEY. It is aimed to ensure equality of opportunity in teaching and learning processes and enhance the technologies in schools. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FATIH project from the perspectives of students, teachers, administrators and parents in high schools from Ankara. To accomplish these goals, 5 pilot schools were selected. The sample of this study consisted of 520 students, 65 teachers, 11 administrators and 5 parents. Different data collection instruments, questionnaires for students and teachers, semi-structured interviews for administrators and parents were used. The mixed method approach was used for combining quantitative data and qualitative data. The findings of this study were separated into two main categories: negative and positive opinions. According to negative opinions about FATIH project; students stated that there were internet restrictions in interactive boards and tablet PCs, interactive boards and tablet PCs limited the lessons, tablet PCs' design had no quality and EBA web site wasn't an efficient site enough. Teachers stated that FATIH project wouldn't contribute the education, tablet PCs weren't used for educational purpose and the contents of EBA web site should be parallel with curriculum. Similarly, administrators stated that there was no interaction between interactive boards and tablet PCs, technical service hadn't helped them about troubleshoot on time and educational training should be given constantly. Parents stated that tablet PCs made students lazy and with coming of this project students' academic success decreased. According to positive opinions about FATIH project; the whole participants were satisfied with the interactive boards for educational purpose. Additionally, students stated that if the project used efficiently, it would be beneficial for education and teachers stated that EBA web site could be helpful for the students. Moreover, administrators stated that with coming of this project students had an easy term to achieve the information, there were equality of opportunities between students, infrastructure works were done without disrupting the education terms and parents stated that project was beneficial in terms of visuality. According to the results of the study, FATİH project will contribute to the teaching and learning processes if all participants supported and authorities get necessary precautions as soon as possible in order to efficient implementation of the project.