Introduction
The value and application of theoretical framework
Sample and data collection methods
Juxtaposing action research Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 to Cycle 5
Technology teachers’ challenges
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The first are challenges created by external factors (e.g. time allocation of 8 % per week, resources, movement of teachers in and out of TE, and planning by district and other stakeholders).
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The second are the internal factors related to teachers themselves (e.g. qualification, creativity to cope with limited resources, systems and control, and teaching, assessment and reporting practices, especially through design process, and integrating technology core themes into tasks).
Findings of the study
From cycle activities: contact sessions
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Technology teachers at selected schools in Limpopo Province reported that they did not have an ordered environment (workshop or lab) earmarked for technology teaching, learning and practices.
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Most technology teachers engaged with this AR study are under-qualified to teach technology.
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Teacher–learner ratio impedes the ‘hands-on’ nature of technology as classes are overcrowded, and class management and assessment are negatively affected.
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Technology teachers could not handle some of the themes in technology until AR was structured and introduced to them. This endeavour contributed, to a large extent, to enhancing teachers’ pedagogy and content knowledge.
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It was difficult for senior phase technology teachers in Limpopo Province to practice enhancement activities within their lesson presentations because of their technological incapacity.
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Resources and support were the major concerns for technology teachers.
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Action research with technology teachers took them out of technology survival activities as they could now teach technology with confidence, do projects with their learners, and interpret, analyse and implement technology policy.
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Self-achievement in handling some of the technology themes that they could not handle before the AR cycles had boosted their self-esteem to handle technology and design.
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Each contact session was a platform to transform technology teachers and nourish their desire to learn more; hence, a call to keep the relationship intact for professional development.
From cycle activities: reflective questionnaires
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More contact workshop/sessions should be held on a regular basis, at least once per month.
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Let the Department of Education partner with universities to develop curriculum advisors in the field of technology.
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“I suggest that we have more workshops so that we can equip ourselves. I don’t have more knowledge of technology. I need to learn more; the more the workshops, the more knowledge”, pleaded one participant.
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Schools should be supplied with relevant and updated materials such as textbooks, study guides and other technological gadgets.
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Certificate of attendance at the end of the training should be issued so as to encourage educators to attend workshops.
Area of emancipation | Before intervention | After intervention |
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Technology lesson planning | Only ten teachers could plan a technology lesson whereas eight indicated that they needed some help | Teachers could plan a technology lesson after being shown how. They could design projects following the design process and teach their lessons |
Teaching of Technology | Lack of technology content knowledge, qualification/experience to a greater extent; discomfort with pedagogy of technology (as observed and revealed from interviews); some teachers had interest in teaching technology, but they encountered challenges during their teaching | Teachers can now teach technology with some degree of confidence compared to before intervention (see findings of Phase 2 above in Fig. 2). Planning and implementing lessons together helped to build courage and knowledge into teachers; they could, for the first time, design projects with their learners |
Technology assessment | Almost all teachers confined themselves to giving assignments, class work, homework, tests and examinations as it was observed during Phase 1 | After the teachers had engaged their learners in the containerization project, some new ways of assessing were evident in addition to the ones that they were accustomed to; a milestone being that they were able to design a rubric for their choice projects |
Technology curriculum policy interpretation and implementation | Teachers’ responses to the questionnaire and interviews pointed out that before they did not have the policy document, there was nothing to interpret | After the policy document was organised and teachers shown how to interpret and implement it; they managed to develop an understanding of the learning outcomes, their relationship, and planned lessons successfully |
Mapotse PEAR framework envisaged to make a difference in teaching technology
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Following the framework from Cycle 1—reconnaissance study
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Continue with the framework in Cycle 2—developing action plans or themes