BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPROVING THE TEACHING OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION COURSES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper took a critical look at the best practices for improving the teaching of vocational agricultural and business education courses in tertiary institutions for national development. The study adopted survey research design. The population was 48. This comprised 20 male and 25 female lecturers. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. A 48-item-questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the respondents. The questionnaire was validated by three experts. The reliabilityof the instrument was determined by using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Out of the 48 questionnaire copies distributed, 45 copies were completed and returned. representing 93.75% return. The data collected were answered using mean with standard deviation while the t-test was used to test the hypotheses. Based on the analysis of the data, it was found that the use of appropriate instructional materials, will improve the teaching of vocational agricultural and business education courses at the tertiary institution for national development. Also, it was found that appropriate teaching methods like demonstration and field trip among others help in improving the teaching of vocational agricultural and business education courses. Equally, it was found that the use of appropriate physical infrastructures can help to improve the teaching of vocational agricultural and business education courses in tertiary institutions. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended among others that the teaching of vocational agricultural and business education courses in higher institutions should be practical- oriented using the appropriate instructional materials, teaching methods and physical infrastructures.