Research Article

Transfer of Hands-on Skills in the Teaching and Learning of Civil Technology Subjects in South African Schools: A Case of Three Technical Schools in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Maeko Mogale Simon Albert 1 * , Moses Makgato 2
More Detail
1 School of Education, Durban University of Technology, SOUTH AFRICA2 Department of Educational Studies, Tshwane University of Technology, SOUTH AFRICA* Corresponding Author
Mediterranean Journal of Social & Behavioral Research, 4(3), October 2020, 47-52, https://doi.org/10.30935/mjosbr/9601
OPEN ACCESS   760 Views   776 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

The integration of the theory and practical components in the teaching and learning of the Civil Technology subject is requisite. This is to ensure the transfer of the much needed hands-on skills in a country desperate for technological emancipation. It is regrettable that some South African schools offering the Civil Technology subject have been caught wanting in this aspect. This paper therefore investigate the challenges of transferring Civil Technology hands-on skills and how these challenges can be resolved in order to move the subject forward. The study was conducted on 41 Grade 12 learners and 3 teachers from the three senior secondary schools in the Eastern Cape Province. Classroom observations and interviews were conducted with the purpose of ascertaining how hands-on activities were conducted in the workshop. It was established that the teaching of the subject has become too theoretical to the detriment of the psychomotor abilities.
Keywords: hands-on skills, civil technology, practical skills, Eastern Cape, theory and practical

CITATION (APA)

Albert, M. M. S., & Makgato, M. (2020). Transfer of Hands-on Skills in the Teaching and Learning of Civil Technology Subjects in South African Schools: A Case of Three Technical Schools in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Mediterranean Journal of Social & Behavioral Research, 4(3), 47-52. https://doi.org/10.30935/mjosbr/9601

REFERENCES

  1. Ahmed, H. A. E. (2011). Building Capacity of Teachers and Trainers in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Sudan: Case of Khartoum State. PhD. Dissertation, Technical University of Dresden, Germany.
  2. Battaglia, M. P. (2011). “Nonprobability Sampling”. Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods. Newbury Park, CA. Sage Publications.
  3. Bayode, K. & Uzoka, I. (2010). Constraints to skill acquisition in vocational agriculture in Educational system in Nigeria. Journal of Qualitative Education, 6(1).
  4. Boateng, C. (2012). Restructuring Vocational and Technical Education in Ghana: The Role of Leadership Development. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(4), 108-114.
  5. Chinyere, A. S. (2010). Skill training in Nigerian technical colleges: Benefits and Challenges. 21 August 2010 [Online]. Available from: www.wesoedu.com
  6. Dasmani, A. (2011). Challenges facing technical institute graduates in practical skills acquisition in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 12(2), 67-77.
  7. De Jager. (2011). Latest Changes in the Technology Education Curriculum in South Africa. In K. Stables, C. Benson, & M. de Vries, (Eds.), Perspectives on Learning in Design & Technology Education Conference, organized by Goldsmiths, University of London, Britain: 2011.
  8. Department of Basic Education. (2011). Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) - Civil Technology. Available from: www.thutong.doe.gov.za/Resourcedownload.aspx?Id=44617
  9. Grant, L., Stronge, J. H., & Popp, P. (2008). Case studies of Award Winning Teachers of at Risk/Highly Mobile Students.
  10. Henning, A., Van Rensburg, W., & Smit, B. (2009). Finding your way in qualitative research. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.
  11. Johnstone, A. H. & Al-Shuaili, A. (2001). Learning in the laboratory; some thoughts from the literature. Journal for the Royal Society of Chemistry. 17 September.
  12. Kennedy, O. O. (2010). Skills acquisition in Nigerian education system: problems and prospects in technical education. Journal of Qualitative Education, 6(1).
  13. Kennedy, O. O. (2011). Philosophical and Sociological Overview of Vocational and Technical Education in Nigeria. American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research, 6(1). IDOSI Publications.
  14. Kennedy, O. O. (2011). Reappraising the Work Skill Requirements for Building Technology Education in Senior Secondary School for Optimum Performance in Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(2), 46-52. IDOSI Publications.
  15. Mewis, R. (2011). Staff and student opinions of the inclusion of practical work in higher education chemistry courses in England: what are the perceived objectives and outcomes? New Directions, 7, 36-44. https://doi.org/10.11120/ndir.2011.00070036
  16. Moemeke, C. D. (2010). Restructuring science education in Nigeria for skills acquisition and diversification: a panacea in recessing economy. Journal of Qualitative Education, 6(1).
  17. National Unions of Teachers. (2011). Safety in practical workshops. [Online]. Available from: www.teachers.org.uk
  18. Ofoye O. I. & Asarah, M. (2010). Skills acquisition through fine and applied arts in Nigeria: problems and prospects. Journal of Qualitative Education, 6(1).
  19. Reid, N. & Shah, I. (2007). The role of laboratory work in university chemistry. The journal for The Royal Society of Chemistry, 8(2), 172-185. https://doi.org/10.1039/B5RP90026C
  20. Rufai, A., BinMusta’amal, A. H., Kamin, Y. B., & Saud, M. S. B. (2013). Provision of Workshop Tools and Equipment: Necessity for Technical Vocational Education Graduates Skills Acquisition. 2nd International Seminar on Quality and Affordable Education.
  21. Seiter, J. (2009). “Crafts and technology” and “technical education” in Austria. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 19, 419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-009-9096-6
  22. Trading Economics. (2014). South African Unemployment Rate [Online]. Available from https://tradingeconomics.com/south-africa/unemployment
  23. Umar, I. Y., & Ma’aji, A. S. (2010). Repositioning the Facilities in Technical College Workshops for Efficiency: A Case Study of North Central Nigeria. Journal of stem teacher education, 47(3). https://doi.org/10.30707/JSTE47.3Umar
  24. Umunadi, K. E. (2010). Acquisition of skills and competencies by technical education teachers as instrument for national growth in Nigeria. Journal of Qualitative Education, 6(1).
  25. Yount, R. (2006). Populations and Sampling.