Özet:

The aim of this study is to examine the applicability of Word Association Test (WAT), an alternative assessment and evaluation technique, for classroom teacher candidates and present the cognitive structures of the classroom teacher candidates regarding the Principles of Atatürk by utilizing the tool. Word Association Test (WAT) was used as the data collection tool in the study. 100 freshmen classroom teacher candidates at Uşak University Classroom Teaching Department were administered WAT. Teacher candidates were given 6 key concepts related top the principles of Atatürk and they were asked to write down the associations they thought of in a specific period. Data obtained from key concepts and answer words were recorded in a frequency table. Concept maps that presented the cognitive structures of the teacher candidates were drawn with the help of the data in the frequency table. In addition, sentences that the teacher candidates constructed about each principle were categorized and analyzed according to meaning and various features. The findings show that teacher candidates most frequently used concepts such as Atatürk, public, justice and freedom in their concept maps. Some misconceptions related to principles of Nationalism and State Socialism were detected both in concept maps and sentence constructions of teacher candidates. As a result of the study, it is thought that WAT is an alternative assessment and evaluation technique that can be more frequently used in educational environments. In this context, similar studies in the literature were taken into consideration and some suggestions are provided.

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