Abstract
M.Ed. (Didactics)
In this study attention is paid to the use of technical college student
evaluators of teaching..Specia! attention is focused on certain factors
which influence students in their evaluation of the teaching skills of
lecturers. The problem addressed, is the vital role played by vocational
training in South Africa as a developing country. In the light of the
acute shortage of skilled manpOwer, it is essential that vocational
training, as practised at technical colleges, should function optiIllally.
Lecturers at technical colleges can play an important role in this resPect
and what is needed is a willingness on the part of both lecturers and
organisations responsible for vocational training, to optimalise effective
teaching and the concomitant successful learning by students.
The aim of this study centres round an overview of literature regarding
methods of teaching evaluation as applied locally and internationally, the
identification of the possible influence of certain factors on the
evaluation by students and the e,d:ent 1;0 which these factors apply ~o male
and female students of different seniority levels at six technical
colleges.
In the study of relevant Literature , attention is paid to the aim and
function of technical colleges. Certain indicators of effective
teaching, as well as teaching evaluation are dealt with and special
attention is paid to self evaluation, peer evaluation and evaluation by
means of objectives. Evaluation of teaching by students is investigated
in depth, together with factors which influence students in" their
evaluation of teaching, such as humour, sex of student and lecturer,
seniority of students, class siZe, enthusiasm and course content.
The research group consists of full-time N4, NS and N6 technical and
commercial students at six technical colleges on the witwatersrand and in
the Pretoria area. The lecturers teaching these students are evaluated
by means of a questionnaire.