Usage of digital resources in Civil Technology: A case of teaching Tools and Equipment

Thokozani Isaac Mtshali, Sylvia Manto Ramaligela and Moses Makgato

African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2020, vol. 12, issue 1, 47-55

Abstract: The digital world is increasingly penetrating the education space, with digital technology gradually being used as a vehicle to deliver educational knowledge and skills in new and innovative ways. The need for technical teacher’s development in using digital resources as means to bridge the knowledge gap in teaching the topic Tools and Equipment is to be emphasized in these modern times. Most importantly, in Civil Technology issues of overcrowding, rare exposure to practical activities as well as lack of practical skilled-competent teachers are still pressing challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which digital resources are used in Civil Technology when teaching about Tools and Equipment. Non-probability sampling was used to select a total of 9 teachers and 145 learners to participate in this study. This study employed Roger’s ‘Diffusion of innovativeness’. Observation, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire instruments were used as data-collection methods. The study found that Civil Technology teachers prefer to use prescribed textbooks and previous exam question papers to teach the concepts in the topic Tools and Equipment whilst there are video clips and posters that can help to expand learners’ practical skill knowledge. Teachers did not see those digital technology resources as helpful in comparison to their own knowledge base when it comes to exposing learners to the wider context of Tools and Equipment. This study recommends that in order to bridge practical skill knowledge gap, teachers should integrate digital technology into their lessons as they are helpful in outlining concepts that might have been omitted by teachers during lessons.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2019.1609782

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