Determining of vocational school student's attitudes toward the puzzle method

The purpose of this study is to determine the vocational school students' attitudes toward "Puzzle Method" implemented to increase their interest, motivation and attendance for the lectures, and better understanding for the theoretical parts of their courses. In this study, the survey application was performed to 92 students who are studying in the Accounting & Tax Applications Program and the Banks & Insurance Program at Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vocational School (ALTSO) of Akdeniz University. Thus, the students' thoughts on "Puzzle Method" have been identified, and the statistical analyses regarding the results have been demonstrated. As a result of the study, it is detected that students were satisfied with Puzzle Method in general terms. In addition to this, students stated that this method provides the interest & their continuity in the course, the increase their self-confidence & the success on the courses, and the ease for theoretical knowledge into practice. Owing to the method, the increase of communication with socializing rate between student-student & student-teacher, and the decrease their concerns for the future of finding a job, are the study's other key findings. The achievement of this success in higher education institutions, such as Vocational High Schools, which mission to train qualified intermediate staff for sectors, will contribute to individuals and educational institutions in the short term, as for the industry & the national economy in the long term. Crown Copyright (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.