The Integration of Technical Subjects in Civil Technology Curriculum with Special Reference to Further Education and Training(FET) Technical Schools

Published ArticleThis study aimed at investigating the extent to which Civil Technology Teachers understand and implement Curriculum. The research used qualitative and quantitative methodology to collect data, questionnaires and interviews were used as instruments to collect data. The sample of the study consisted of 21 Civil Technology teachers from 18 Technical schools from 5 education districts in the Free State. Teachers revealed that majority of respondents indicated that Department of Education (DoE) failed to offer formal training on the new Civil Technology Curriculum, but received one week workshops. They regarded Civil Technology as a subject developed for high level of knowledge and skills. Teachers recommended that the Department of Education should provide a full training course on the new understanding and implementation of Civil Technology Curriculum in Free State Schools in South Africa

Who makes better use of technology for learning in D&T? Schools or university?

University teacher training departments have many functions in their role as Schools for Initial Teacher Education (ITE), these include accrediting qualified teacher status, teaching subject knowledge and pedagogy, and influencing change in a school subject's content and pedagogy. This paper discusses this latter area. It can be easy for teacher training in universities to become ivory towers, modelling new ideas for curriculum delivery and content in a 'bubble' away from the real world of the school classroom. A centre of design and technology (D&T) education at an English university has undertaken research-led developments in the use of web 2.0 technologies and technology enhanced learning (TEL), modelling how they can be used in the classroom. The research examined in this paper is the next stage of the centre's curriculum development to ensure the relevance of the university curriculum content and practices. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of TEL in secondary schools is inconsistent and sporadic with D&T teachers using TEL, with minimal awareness of research available, which could inform their practice. This impacts on the centre's trainee teachers as they begin teaching in schools during their final year of the course, with a possible unrealistic expectation of how TEL is used in schools, based on their university experiences

The Effectiveness of the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Rural Secondary Schools in Malaysia

The Ministry of Education has established viable educational ecosystems in order to ensure the equality of rural education. There are three aspects that have been outlined, namely value-based education, quality improvement, and autonomy and accountability of schools and universities. Hence, a study in the form of a survey was conducted to identify the issues surrounding information technology faced by students and teachers in rural secondary schools, and to provide an overview of the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as students’ knowledge and teachers’ skills in the teaching and learning process. A total of 49 respondents were involved, comprising 21 students and 28 teachers from nine secondary schools located in one rural area of Kelantan. The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents perceived the use of ICT positively, despite the lack of facilities and expertise. Thus, a need for relevant ICT training was raised by the teachers. Recommendations are also discussed to guide the authorities in planning and preparing appropriate equipment and facilities for the schools, as well as adequate training for teachers and facilitators, before a new policy is introduced to the students. Further research is also recommended to examine the rural students' acceptance of the use of technology

Guide for smart practices to support innovation in smart textiles

Smart Textiles for STEM training (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) is an Erasmus+ project aiming to bridge Textile Companies with the Education sector via Smart Textiles Innovation and Training. Industries have been surveyed to analyze the needs for new jobs and skills in Smart textiles, contributing to improve the links with VET Schools training and closing the gap between industry and education. During the project a number of smart textiles examples and prototypes are worked to be transferred to Schools and used by students and teachers, aiming to foster STEM training. This paper presents the results of the survey applied to selected textile companies on Technical and Smart Textiles, based on data collected from 63 textile enterprises in Romania, Belgium, Slovenia, Portugal and Czech Republic. The survey identifies existing opportunities for producing smart textiles in enterprises and forecasting expected occupations and work profiles for young trainees. The guide for smart practices presents the results of this survey and aims to transfer smart practices from enterprises to Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools and young students. Providing real life prototypes and multi-disciplinary working activities on smart textiles will make textile occupations more attractive to young students, and will improve knowledge, skills and employability of VET students in STEM related fields

When Educational Technology Meets New Pedagogical Methods

This thesis speaks about the The RIBGHE (Rhode Island Board of Governors of Higher Education), formally known as Eisenhower grant. The Science and Mathematic faculty at Salve Regina University have been working under the Eisenhower and RIBGHE Partnership Grant for the past 8 years. It had multiple benefits. It was through the RIBGHE, that there were three cornerstones the driving force behind this senior thesis; 1) introducing technology in the high schools in R.I. 2) introducing new pedagogical methods in science education and 3) training teachers to develop inquiry-based curricular materials. PACO Scientific, which is one of the new major manufactures of state-of-the art educational technology, linked the grant program to develop guided inquiry curriculum for high school science teachers and served as an excellent tool for the training of the high school teachers. But it was also through this experiment that it was realized how much the grant did for the local community. The RIBGHE grant provided a service to the local high schools. It introduced new teaching methods to Rhode Island schools that need improvements with its curricular standards. The grant also helped professional development and certification of high school science teachers that might not normally be able to do so on their own. But probably most importantly for the students, the grant delivered the latest technology to high schools that might normally be able to afford such lab equipment. However overall, the grant allowed the expertise of the joined faculty- student team help bring high school science education to the 21st century in the local community

THE INTEGRATION OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN CIVIL TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCETO FET TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Published ThesisThe main aim of the study was to investigate the integration of technical subjects in Civil Technology curriculum with special reference to FET Technical Schools in the Free State, South Africa. The research had used mixed method approach comprised of qualitative as well as quantitative methodology to collect data. The method of investigation included a literature review, empirical study by using qualitative and quantitative method in the form of questionnaires and purposive sampling and semistructured interview. The sample in the research was twenty one (21) teachers responsible for teaching Civil Technology in grades 10-12 from schools in the five districts of Free State province: Fezile Dabi, Motheo, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep. The study revealed that majority of teachers did not receive formal training on the new Civil Technology Curriculum, therefore, majority of teachers highlighted that they took initiatives of self-training and development on the subject which had made challenges of the subject more interesting. The quantitative responses were analysed by the employed statistician using SPSS computer software and interpreted by the researcher and reported. Qualitative data; semi-structured interviews were recoded, transcribed and analysed by the researcher. The study found that teachers define Civil Technology as a subject that gives the general background of Civil engineering or building environment. The teachers suggested that the Department of Basic Education should provide them with full course training on applied mechanics of the subject and to keep the current curriculum of Civil Technology for Mathematics and Science stream and to implement new Civil Technology specialisation for the new stream of Technical Mathematics and Technical Science

Telecommunication technology and the professional development of teachers : challenge and opportunity

The thesis explores an effective model for using the internet in a distance training program for secondary school teachers. The professional development program, the dissertation, titled The Virtual University: Professional development for teachers, was initiated based on aspects of telecommunication technology and the professional development for Thai school teachers. The question of this program was “How could information technology be used in developing an appropriate professional development model for Thai teachers?” Prior to the project, the four research studies were conducted to formulate the related base line information and supported framework for the program development. The four researches are: (1) Telecommunication Technology in Thai Schools, (2) The Role of University on Science Teachers Development, (3) Computer Education Curriculum for Student Teachers: Theory and Practice, and (4) Teachers’ Perceptions of the Academic Link Project Between Schools and Universities for Teacher Professional Development. The first research study provides the information about the necessary basic factors for change in Thai secondary schools and the new insights and understandings about change in Thai schooling. The major findings were the understandings about teachers’ need for professional development, the available support in Thai school for professional development, and the limitations of professional development of teachers. The second research study provides the information about the roles of university faculty on initiation and operation of science teacher development programs, science teaching and learning resources centers, science instructional media design and production services, science teaching clinics, and science teachers’ associations. The third research study provides the conceptual framework for both preservice and inservice curriculum development program for teacher development. The last research study provides a base of descriptive information about the perspectives of school teachers towards the academic link project between schools and universities and the partnership which can assist in its establishment. The findings of these four research tasks were used for the formation of the framework of the dissertation. The EDNET Project, an example of teachers’ professional development through the information technology based training, was developed and implemented with ten school teachers in Khon Kaen

Basics of programming exercises using health and fitness technology in physical education pupils of secondary schools

Purpose: to present a framework for programming model classes using athletic health technologies at physical training lessons to pupils of general education schools. Material: the information base on research constitute official documents of the governing bodies of the European Union for the development of sports education. Also - the curricula and training programs for teachers of physical training, training programs on physical training of general educational institutions, research papers, reference and encyclopaedias, periodicals, national and foreign publications. The study involved 178 teachers of physical culture. Results: The general education schools were given the right choice of the existing options of training and education. Also - the construction of new ones. Therefore, the logical focus is physical education teachers to use technology in improving physical fitness physical training lessons, changing the concept of sports orientation of physical training on wellness. This concept aims at developing various curricula, development and testing of new technologies and more. Conclusions: Programming exercises using athletic health technologies do not change the logic of the training and educational process. They cancel stringent regulatory and authoritarian school programs, form the subject of a positive motivation to contribute to improving and training effect, adjust the health status of all participants

Beliefs and Practices of High School Science Teachers on the Integration of Technology-Based Assessments in the Classroom

As more schools begin to phase in technology to classrooms, teachers are faced with a new task. Technology-based assessments allow teachers and students to get immediate feedback on the level of understanding of a certain topic. Using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework gives insight to the knowledge base of teachers in various categories. A survey was conducted with Minnesota high school science teachers on their perceptions and practices of implementing technology-based assessments in their classrooms. Data analysis showed a difference between the beliefs and practices of teachers in their use of this type of assessment. Participants described a number of barriers and changes to integrating technology-based assessments in their classrooms including access, time, training, and software. The data suggests that more training and access is needed for technology-based assessments to be utilized to their full capacity in secondary science education