Preferences of educators and students in vocational colleges regarding teaching methods

Abstract

The problem and the aim of the study. This aim of this study is to determine the teaching methods used by Industrial Electronic Equipment Troubleshooting (IEET) course instructors and the preferred teaching methods of IEET students in vocational colleges. Research methods. For data collection and analysis this study used a survey research design and a quantitative method. Stratified random samples of 360 second-year students and 113 instructors on the electronic technology programme from 53 vocational colleges were chosen for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire with closed-ended questions. Descriptive data analysis was performed and reported in the form of percentages and means. Results. The study findings reveal that the most frequent teaching methods used by the instructor on teaching Industrial Electronic Equipment Troubleshooting courses are lecture (mean 3.88), question and answer (3.69), and presentation (3.68). Conversely, students had a high level of interest in seeking instructors who use teaching methods such as workshop (mean 4.68), simulation (4.50), web-based (4.46), blended learning (4.31), study tour (4.29), and games (40.8). Conclusion. The study found that instructors still frequently use the conventional chalk and talk method in the classroom, i.e., the lecture. Efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that teachers use a variety of teaching methods in the classroom. Teachers should use student-centred teaching approaches and technology to invest students in the learning process. It is proposed that the Ministry of Education, through the Technical and Vocational Education Division, provide training on 21st century pedagogy to vocational college instructors and provide a complete information and communication technology infrastructure to all vocational colleges to improve teaching methods among instructors.