Improving Teaching and Learning at a Clothing Practical Class of a University of Technology

Abstract

Abstract

Improving teaching and learning at a clothing practical class of a university of technology

The paper explores how I can improve teaching and learning at a Clothing practical class of a university of technology. My concern was born of whether I was doing the best I might do to meet the desired expectations for this course in teaching and learning – mindful of the fact that students should be competent to compete with graduates from other institutions when applying for employment. The motivation for my study arose from the need for academic growth through exposure to teaching and learning in the classroom and by observing the performance of graduates in the market place. My main objectives were the following:

  • to improve teaching and learning at the Clothing practical class of a university of technology.
  • to contribute positively towards changing students’ attitudes towards Clothing course as a career option

I engage in practitioner research and investigate my practice. I was influenced by Whitehead‟ (1989) approach to self-study research, when he said that there is a need to pose the question: "How can I improve my practice?" I used the self-study approach to understand my educational influence. I was the main participants and students in my class. I collected data by interviewing students, observing, reflecting and reading students‟ reflection on practical conducted. I also use the visuals to capture events as they occur in my practice.

The results show that using self- study research methodology help me to discover myself as an educator. The writing of reflections and using questionnaires ultimately improved understanding of my educational influence. It improves my motivation and students’ self-confidence and satisfaction with their work in a Clothing practical class. I learned to be open to new ideas that emerge from my practice e.g. creativity, patience, passion and trust. The example of creativity is the students who develop interest in sewing and start bags business. This improves people awareness of the course. The second idea is patience the example is a student who was struggling with sewing and produces the best garment at the end of the semester. Passion was one of the themes that emerge when students start to develop passion for the Clothing course. Trust was the last theme when student develop hope that they will be employed when they finish the course or start their own business.

References

Whitehead, J., 1989. Creating a Living Educational Theory from Questions of the Kind, ‘How Do I improve My Practice?' Cambridge Journal of Education, 19 (1), Available at: Blackwell Science Synergy. http://www.pol.upenn/articles [Accessed 12 June 2010].

Samaras, A. P., 2011. Self-study teacher research: Improving your practice through collaborative inquiry. U.K. Available at: Sage Publishers. http://www.sage.publishers. [Accessed 12 January 201

Location

Rooms 113 & 115

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Mar 25th, 5:00 PM Mar 25th, 6:00 PM

Improving Teaching and Learning at a Clothing Practical Class of a University of Technology

Rooms 113 & 115

Abstract

Improving teaching and learning at a clothing practical class of a university of technology

The paper explores how I can improve teaching and learning at a Clothing practical class of a university of technology. My concern was born of whether I was doing the best I might do to meet the desired expectations for this course in teaching and learning – mindful of the fact that students should be competent to compete with graduates from other institutions when applying for employment. The motivation for my study arose from the need for academic growth through exposure to teaching and learning in the classroom and by observing the performance of graduates in the market place. My main objectives were the following:

  • to improve teaching and learning at the Clothing practical class of a university of technology.
  • to contribute positively towards changing students’ attitudes towards Clothing course as a career option

I engage in practitioner research and investigate my practice. I was influenced by Whitehead‟ (1989) approach to self-study research, when he said that there is a need to pose the question: "How can I improve my practice?" I used the self-study approach to understand my educational influence. I was the main participants and students in my class. I collected data by interviewing students, observing, reflecting and reading students‟ reflection on practical conducted. I also use the visuals to capture events as they occur in my practice.

The results show that using self- study research methodology help me to discover myself as an educator. The writing of reflections and using questionnaires ultimately improved understanding of my educational influence. It improves my motivation and students’ self-confidence and satisfaction with their work in a Clothing practical class. I learned to be open to new ideas that emerge from my practice e.g. creativity, patience, passion and trust. The example of creativity is the students who develop interest in sewing and start bags business. This improves people awareness of the course. The second idea is patience the example is a student who was struggling with sewing and produces the best garment at the end of the semester. Passion was one of the themes that emerge when students start to develop passion for the Clothing course. Trust was the last theme when student develop hope that they will be employed when they finish the course or start their own business.

References

Whitehead, J., 1989. Creating a Living Educational Theory from Questions of the Kind, ‘How Do I improve My Practice?' Cambridge Journal of Education, 19 (1), Available at: Blackwell Science Synergy. http://www.pol.upenn/articles [Accessed 12 June 2010].

Samaras, A. P., 2011. Self-study teacher research: Improving your practice through collaborative inquiry. U.K. Available at: Sage Publishers. http://www.sage.publishers. [Accessed 12 January 201