The Opinions of The Multigrade Classroom Teachers on Multigrade Class Teaching Practices (Multiple Case Analysis: Netherlands-Turkey Example)

Abstract

In this study, the opinions of 20 classroom teachers who work in multigrade classes in İzmir, Turkey and Rotterdam, Netherlands were received via an interview form prepared by the researcher. The study was designed as a multiple case study. Descriptive and content analysis were applied to the data obtained from the study. The data obtained from the analysis were grouped under three main themes: difficulties faced in multigrade classes, solution suggestions regarding the problems of multigrade classes, effective practice examples in multigrade classes. The study has revealed that there are difficulties stated by the classroom teachers as the excessive effort of the teacher, high expectations from the student, lack of time, difficulty in reaching the aims, non-teaching roles, not being supported, lack of education, physical conditions, and language problems. It has been seen that the solution suggestions suggested by the teachers are openness, assistant personnel, improvement of the physical conditions, increasing the quality and quantity of training services, and legal regulations. At the end of the study, significant practice examples which can be easily applied by the multigrade classroom teachers have been reached. These practice examples have been tried to be introduced. The results of the study were discussed comparatively in terms of the opinions of Turkish and Dutch teachers. Suggestions were made in accordance with the results of the study.