Student teachers` attitudes towards Design and Technology: A Case of Chalimbana University

Abstract

Attitudes towards learning are important factors on the students’ problem solving abilities, inner and external motivations and levels of goal setting. The purpose of this study was to examine student teachers’ attitudes towards Design and Technology at Chalimbana University. Despite governments’ efforts to allude to the need to reorient the school curriculum to put emphasis on life skills subjects to enable students cope with the demands of the labour market, there are diverse views about the position of Design and Technology in schools and institutions of higher learning. This study focused upon aspects of attitudes namely: materials and equipment, career aspirations, parental influence, time, interest, gender issues and background knowledge. These aspects allowed the researcher to answer the main research question: Student Teachers’ attitudes towards Design and Technology: A case of Chalimbana University. The study was guided by Theory of Planned Behaviour to determine student teachers’ behaviour and attitudes. The target population comprised practical subject student teachers at Chalimbana University. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to select 60 respondents from a population. A mixed method sequential design involved an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase, in which the qualitative phase built directly on the results from the quantitative phase. Quantitative data were presented in frequencies, percentages, tables and charts while qualitative data were summarized using interview transcripts generated from a coding phase and organized into themes. Findings from the study revealed that Design and technology remains one of the most exciting areas of study that is in touch with every aspect of human nature hence making it a priority area of study. However, lack of materials and equipment impacted more upon student decision towards Design and Technology. Increasing the availability of materials and equipment which seemed to have a direct effect on student teachers’ performance would enhance their attitudes. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education considers providing more funds required for procurement of materials, equipment and construction of workshops and also embark on a long term retraining of staff to build capacity.