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The Feasibility of a Learner-Centered Approach in a Civil Technology Classroom

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Title: The Feasibility of a Learner-Centered Approach in a Civil Technology Classroom
Language: English
Authors: Simphiwe Magnificent Msimango (ORCID 0000-0003-2982-5228), Thokozani Isaac Mtshali (ORCID 0000-0002-9643-5708)
Source: Journal of Education and e-Learning Research. 2025 12(4):763-769.
Availability: Asian Online Journal Publishing Group. 244 Fifth Avenue Suite D42, New York, NY 10001. Fax: 212-591-6094; e-mail: info@asianonlinejournals.com; Web site: http://www.asianonlinejournals.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 7
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Student Centered Learning, Civil Engineering, Barriers, Group Instruction, Class Size, Teacher Attitudes, Resources, Foreign Countries, Secondary School Teachers
Geographic Terms: South Africa
ISSN: 2518-0169
2410-9991
Abstract: Learner-centered approach in Civil Technology remains a critical method to achieve learner outcomes amidst the persistence of polycrisis, such as learner overcrowding. It remains unclear how Civil Technology teachers enact this approach in the face of overcrowding and insufficient hands-on skills learning resources. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of adopting a learner-centered approach within Civil Technology classrooms. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven (7) Civil Technology teachers of different subject specializations to participate in this study. A qualitative research approach and single case study design were adopted. The data collected through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that Civil Technology teachers faced challenges in employing a learner-centered approach and preferred group work when conducting practical lessons. Teachers demonstrated cognitive dissonance regarding the use of this approach in large classes, stating it was impossible to attend to each learner's needs during practical lessons. In fact, the practical lessons (simulations) had been structured such that learners should always work in groups. As a result, this hindered the promotion of a learner-centered approach in Civil Technology classrooms. Therefore, this study recommended that, since teachers have the autonomy to design their own practical lessons, they should consider structuring simulations that can be done individually to foster learner-centeredness. This aligns with the Civil Technology Practical Assessment Task policy, which stresses the need for skilling learners both individually and in groups to achieve satisfactory learner outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495219
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: The Feasibility of a Learner-Centered Approach in a Civil Technology Classroom
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Simphiwe+Magnificent+Msimango%22">Simphiwe Magnificent Msimango</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2982-5228">0000-0003-2982-5228</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thokozani+Isaac+Mtshali%22">Thokozani Isaac Mtshali</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9643-5708">0000-0002-9643-5708</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Education+and+e-Learning+Research%22"><i>Journal of Education and e-Learning Research</i></searchLink>. 2025 12(4):763-769.
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  Data: Asian Online Journal Publishing Group. 244 Fifth Avenue Suite D42, New York, NY 10001. Fax: 212-591-6094; e-mail: info@asianonlinejournals.com; Web site: http://www.asianonlinejournals.com
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  Data: Learner-centered approach in Civil Technology remains a critical method to achieve learner outcomes amidst the persistence of polycrisis, such as learner overcrowding. It remains unclear how Civil Technology teachers enact this approach in the face of overcrowding and insufficient hands-on skills learning resources. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of adopting a learner-centered approach within Civil Technology classrooms. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven (7) Civil Technology teachers of different subject specializations to participate in this study. A qualitative research approach and single case study design were adopted. The data collected through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that Civil Technology teachers faced challenges in employing a learner-centered approach and preferred group work when conducting practical lessons. Teachers demonstrated cognitive dissonance regarding the use of this approach in large classes, stating it was impossible to attend to each learner's needs during practical lessons. In fact, the practical lessons (simulations) had been structured such that learners should always work in groups. As a result, this hindered the promotion of a learner-centered approach in Civil Technology classrooms. Therefore, this study recommended that, since teachers have the autonomy to design their own practical lessons, they should consider structuring simulations that can be done individually to foster learner-centeredness. This aligns with the Civil Technology Practical Assessment Task policy, which stresses the need for skilling learners both individually and in groups to achieve satisfactory learner outcomes.
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 7
        StartPage: 763
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      – SubjectFull: Student Centered Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Civil Engineering
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Class Size
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: South Africa
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      – TitleFull: The Feasibility of a Learner-Centered Approach in a Civil Technology Classroom
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            NameFull: Thokozani Isaac Mtshali
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              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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