An approach for the implementation of technology education in schools in the North West province

Abstract

Technology is the generic term that includes all the technologies people develop and use in their lives. In the learning area it is the purposeful application of knowledge, experience and resources to create products that meet human needs and wants. Technology education is an integrated program designed to prepare learners about Technology. Learners are challenged to discover and create solutions to problems by using a variety of tools, machines and materials.The study is about the implementation of Technology as a learning area with specific reference to the North West Province. There is no approach for implementing Technology in the North West Province. Technology Education needs approaches that build upon the best thinking in the field and take into account the needs of the learners and the educators. The approach needs to address the context within which Technology is offered. The main aim of the study was to design an approach for implementing Technology Education in schools in the North West Province.In this study the qualitative and quantitative research designs were employed to gather information regarding the implementation of Technology in schools in the North West Province. A survey questionnaire (quantitative) was used to compile data regarding the profile and perception of Technology educators. A learner questionnaire (quantitative) was also administered to determine the attitudes and concepts of learners towards Technology. Interviews (qualitative) were conducted with the Technology experts, subject specialists and learning area heads. A population of 7149 educators and 216489 learners was used. The sample involved 7734 learners from five education regions of the North West Province and 345 educators (almost five percent of each educator and learner population). Two hundred and eighty-eight learners were selected in each school, comprising of ninety-six learners from each ofthe grades 7, 8 and 9. Fifteen respondents were interviewed and they comprised of four Technology experts, four education specialists and seven subject heads.