The experiences of senior lecturers in leading teaching and learning in a technical vocational education and training college: a case study.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of senior lecturers in leading teaching and learning in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The study explored the perspectives of five senior lecturers leading teaching and learning at a TVET College in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The study sought to understand the challenges that senior lecturers faced in leading teaching and learning; how they dealt with these challenges; and what could be learnt from their experiences regarding the leading of teaching and learning in TVET Colleges. The study was located appropriately within the interpretive paradigm. It required the researcher to interact with participants and personally interpret the specific meanings therefrom. A case study research design was adopted. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews. The study found that the participants had a limited understanding of their role as leaders of teaching and learning. They understood the need to develop themselves as leaders more than they did regarding developing junior lecturers as their subordinates. The study also found that senior lecturers had a huge challenge in leading teaching and learning because of the shortage of resources and their students’ misbehaviour.