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An exploration into the desirable characteristic of the ITE lecturers
Author
Tan, Chun Kuang
Supervisor
Ng, Pak Tee
Sharpe, Leslie
Abstract
Many new trends in teaching and learning have been brought about due to changes in the context of learning in the 21st Century. Contextual changes that impacted teaching and learning include availability of global telecommunications, emergence of the knowledge economy, increasing focus on lifelong learning and self-directed learning as well as the emergence of e-learning. These have challenged previous teaching and learning methodologies and have implications for the role of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) lecturers in Singapore.
ITE lecturers need to deal with a climate of continual change and foster a framework for continual improvement, embracing openness and integration. The ideal teacher of the future will be those who work to make what is now the best become the standard for all.
The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics that ideal lectures should possess -from both the students' and the lecturers' perspectives. These characteristics have been identified by researchers as crucial to being a good and effective teacher.
The questionnaire was administered to a sample of students and lecturers at ITE East (Yishun). From a list of desirable qualities, the students and lecturers were asked to indicate which qualities they consider the most important that ITE lecturers should possess.
The survey results showed that both lecturers and students identified the same top 5 characteristics albeit in a different order. To a large extent, the choice of top 5 characteristics reflected a growing concern with the challenges to be faced by ITE lecturers in the new economy. When compared by cluster, both the lecturers and students have similar ranking order for the cluster of characteristics. There were 19 items where the scores had significant differences between lecturers and students. Generally, the students' scores were higher than those of the lecturers. One reason could be that students, being on the receiving end of the training, would probably think most of the characteristics are important and thus give a higher rating on the scale while the lecturers, who are delivering the lessons, would be more conservative.
This study provides useful insights into the characteristics that ITE students and lecturers should have. The recommendations will help ITE examine how it can develop its teaching staff to meet ITE's mission goals.
ITE lecturers need to deal with a climate of continual change and foster a framework for continual improvement, embracing openness and integration. The ideal teacher of the future will be those who work to make what is now the best become the standard for all.
The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics that ideal lectures should possess -from both the students' and the lecturers' perspectives. These characteristics have been identified by researchers as crucial to being a good and effective teacher.
The questionnaire was administered to a sample of students and lecturers at ITE East (Yishun). From a list of desirable qualities, the students and lecturers were asked to indicate which qualities they consider the most important that ITE lecturers should possess.
The survey results showed that both lecturers and students identified the same top 5 characteristics albeit in a different order. To a large extent, the choice of top 5 characteristics reflected a growing concern with the challenges to be faced by ITE lecturers in the new economy. When compared by cluster, both the lecturers and students have similar ranking order for the cluster of characteristics. There were 19 items where the scores had significant differences between lecturers and students. Generally, the students' scores were higher than those of the lecturers. One reason could be that students, being on the receiving end of the training, would probably think most of the characteristics are important and thus give a higher rating on the scale while the lecturers, who are delivering the lessons, would be more conservative.
This study provides useful insights into the characteristics that ITE students and lecturers should have. The recommendations will help ITE examine how it can develop its teaching staff to meet ITE's mission goals.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
LC1047.85 Tan
Date Submitted
2005