Application and evaluation of situational learning approach in learning-teaching environment

In today's scientifically developing world, one should be taught the ways of obtaining knowledge rather than being directly transferred. Obtaining the knowledge is enabled by learning to learn. One learns to learn by recognizing the characteristics of his/her own learning and applying the appropriate strategy. Learning strategies are the means used to find out how and in what ways learning is achieved. Each day, new learning models are included to ease learning and enable active participation. This study was carried in order to determine the level of situational learning model use by instructors and students in learning-teaching environment. In this descriptive study, a survey was conducted. To collect the data, a questionnaire which was prepared by the researcher was used. It consisted of items regarding personal information of instructors and students, and the level of situational learning model use in learning-teaching environment. The questionnaire was conducted on 667 participants, 581 of whom are second grade students and 86 of whom are instructors in Fırat University, Vocational School of Technical Sciences and Tunceli University, Tunceli Vocational High School. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 17.0 for Windows Evaluation Version package program. According to the data; it was determined that the instructors and students who were involved in the research generally use situational learning model in learning-teaching environment. When analyzed on the basis of category, it was found out that the category of "Scientific Apprentice" is used by instructors and students more than other categories. In addition, it was seen that there are statistically significant differences in sub-categories in terms of situational learning model use between instructors and students. Instructors have stated that they use situational learning model more compared to the students. That there are deficiencies with regards to the application areas and technological equipment in learning-teaching environment is one of the issues mentioned by the instructors and students. As a result, it was found out that the necessary conditions required for the situational learning model to take place are not at a sufficient level in the universities which the research was conducted. The participants who have stated that they lack technological devices and do not have up-to-date courses also said that they do not receive information which can be used in real life. It is thought that increasing the number of technological equipments in application areas and paving the way for the access to leading experts may enhance the level of situational learning model use. The fact that students are considered to be indifferent and weak by the instructors affects the courses in a negative way. Key Words: Scientific apprentice, Situational learning, Constructive approach.