Educational Philosophy and SOBE (Latest Knowledge First Education – Teaching Method)
Cappadocia University possesses a unique philosophy and practice in education that breaks new ground, shaped by reinterpretations and applications of learning and teaching theories. With these characteristics, our University as a whole stands out with a distinctive and ambitious mission, differing from other university structures. Here, the inadequacy of existing systems is first diagnosed and the “chronic problem in the education system” is defined, followed by an explanation of the solution method developed and implemented by our University.
Chronic Problem in Educational System(s)
From leading Western universities to struggling institutions in the developing world, tens of thousands of higher education establishments seem to compete in offering nearly identical curricula and course content, often rooted in medieval rote-learning methods. By repeating each other, these rigid structures cause stagnation in education and research, becoming a significant barrier to progress.
Many of these systems devote much of their time to studying the past. This results in the neglect of the present and reliance on memorization rather than learning. Consequently, the path to progress is obstructed. Millions of young people end up trapped in this cycle, while only a few manage, through personal effort, to grasp the present and contribute to knowledge. But what about the millions left behind?
If physics remains stuck with Newton, it will never reach Einstein. If one clings to Euclid, one cannot discover modern space geometry. Museums are respectable places, but one cannot sit endlessly on the chairs in a museum. Objects in museums have lost their function. The tragedy in Turkey began with the Tanzimat reforms: we tried to understand the West, but the West we tried to understand was not that of the industrial revolution, but the ancient West. We missed the contemporary West that had already moved beyond it.
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Our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Alev Alatlı, conceptualized the “mediocre education trap”, which is prevalent in many countries. Turkey is also caught in this vortex. Millions of young people are struggling in it. Yet Turkey has the strength to escape. Cappadocia University has taken on the responsibility of capturing, understanding, and interpreting the present, and preparing roadmaps suitable for our conditions — and has already achieved highly successful results.
Solution Method
Finding a solution requires the correct definition of the problem. A wrongly defined problem cannot be solved correctly. Cappadocia University, with its accurate diagnosis and unique philosophy, has also found the right treatment method.
At the core of our philosophy and practice is the implementation of the SOBE (Latest Knowledge First Education–Teaching) method, developed as an original contribution to existing learning theories, inspired by applications across different disciplines and suggested by our founder, Alev Alatlı.
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Application
While implementing this method, Cappadocia University has shown great sensitivity and introduced innovations in several areas.
The first concerns the use of the Turkish language. Education in the mother tongue is of vital importance. Forcing a student to learn an unknown subject in an unfamiliar language is imprudent. Therefore, correct Turkish, supported by logic, has a special place in our curriculum. As the language of education and science, Turkish is indispensable for our University. To this end, the course Turkish Language and Basic Logic is an original Cappadocia University innovation.
This does not mean foreign languages are neglected. Quite the opposite. Without foreign language knowledge, analyzing synthesis would be impossible. At our University, foreign language courses are spread over eight semesters with five hours per week, including terminology in Ottoman Turkish, modern Turkish, English, Latin, and other required languages.
The second sensitivity concerns the compulsory course on Revolution History. Instead, our University developed the History of Turkish Democracy course, which traces the evolution of Turkish legal and political systems from the 1808 Sened-i İttifak up to the present, providing students with a clear picture of the reforms and modernization movements of the last two centuries.
The third concerns courses such as History and Philosophy of Science, World History, and Human Geography, which are taught to all undergraduate students. The aim is to help our students understand their place in the world as individuals and as a society, within both a temporal and spatial framework.
The fourth is related to analytical thinking and rational decision-making. Two competencies are emphasized: a solid understanding of mathematics and statistics, and time/project management skills. The course Mathematics and Statistics equips students with competencies ranging from interpreting financial tables to applying quantitative research methods, even in their first year. The Time and Project Management course, another Cappadocia innovation, helps students grasp the practicalities of time, resources, budgeting, and coordination — again from the very first year.
Conclusion
At Cappadocia University, we aim to prepare every student at every level for global competition. Our goal is to free them from “learned helplessness” and to help them become opinion leaders who not only reflect on the past but also design the future. In this sense, SOBE (Latest Knowledge First Education–Teaching) was developed as a rejection of unserious and irresponsible alternatives that fail to equip the most valuable members of the nation with knowledge and skills.
Our achievements in vocational and technical education have progressed in a dual structure, both academic and professional. As Funda Aktan states, “In vocational programs, a curriculum can only be called a curriculum if it reflects the dynamism of industry and business.” Therefore, in our University, curricula are constantly restructured — sometimes almost yearly — to reflect this dynamism, ensuring continuous renewal and focus on the latest knowledge. Thus, Cappadocia SOBE is not a static curriculum but a continuously updated, latest-knowledge-oriented model, unique in Turkey and the world.
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