Exploring lecturers’ experiences of teaching level 2 Life Orientation (Computer Skills) in National Certificate Vocational at a Technical Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) college in a township.

Abstract

The focus and purpose of the study was to explore Life Orientation lecturers’ experiences in teaching Computer Skills at a township Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College. The study explored the experiences of Life Orientation lecturers that taught Level 2 Computer Skills. The research employed the interpretivist paradigm. The qualitative approach was used which allowed for a greater knowledge and understanding of the lecturers’ experiences. Data was generated using semi-structured interviews with the four purposively selected Life Orientation lecturers who taught Level 2 Computer Skills. The study concluded that lecturers were struggling with Computer Skills from the outset of National Curriculum Vocational (NCV) implementation and numerous technology challenges persisted thereafter. Some lecturers believed that they had to migrate to a different world without the requisite support. The requisite support would allow them to learn and internalise aspects of Computer Skills which made them not confident in a higher education context. This study consequently recommended the training of lecturers by the Department of Higher Education and Training before they teach Computer Skills within the curriculum. The College should provide an on-going support structure as a higher education institution to ensure that the lecturers receive sufficient assistance to progress to teaching Levels 3 and 4.