24th February 2011, Vientiane "Improving the Curriculum for Vocational Teacher Education" 1 Empirical evidence of Bachelor program (Tracer Study) Initial

24th February 2011, Vientiane

"Improving the Curriculum for Vocational Teacher Education"

1

Empirical evidence of Bachelor program

(Tracer Study)

Initial results



2

Major subject 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Total

Agriculture 0 12 0 12

Business and Administration 0 13 0 13

Communication and Transportation 1 0 3 4

Civil Engineering (Construction) 4 7 10 21

Electrical Engineering 8 0 4 12

Electronic Engineering 7 1 5 13

Forestry 0 6 0

Mechanical Engineering 0 1 5 6

Telecommunication

Water Supply 0 0 4 4

Total 20 40 31 91

Distribution of Graduates (VTTD)

Only graduates from 2007/08 and 2008/09 were selected to be interviewed.



3

Distribution of Graduates/Respondents (VTTD)

12 13

1

118 8

6

1

60

8

1 1

6 64

1 0

27

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

AgricultureBus./Admin.Com./Trans.

Civil

ElectricalElectronicForestryMechanical

Total

total (2007/08 and 2008/09)

interviewed



4

Objectives of Tracer Study*

• whereabouts of graduates

• practical relevance of teacher training

• motivation of graduates to study vocational teacher education

• relevance of the academic education for the professional career of the graduates in general

* Identified at the workshop “Challenges, Implications and Recommendations for improve Institutional andCapacity Development of Vocational Teacher Education and Research” (16th September 2010, Vientiane)



5

Collecting data of graduates(difficulties and recommendations)

• Recover graduates has proven as a real challenge.

• Education institutions should keep records about present and former students.

• Students should be exposed and animated to use the Internet and online communication (mail, facebook etc.).



6

Collecting data of graduates(difficulties and recommendations)

Challenging in particular was the following behavior:

D 3 How satisfied have you been with the following aspects of your major subject? (please rate each item below with an “x” in the appropriate column)

Very satisfied Ve ry unsatisfied

+++ ++ + - -- ---

- Content of lectures ………..…………………………... X - Quality of the lecture itself ………………................... X - Competency of lecturers …………………………………… X - Mentoring from lecturers during studies ………..………... X - System of evaluation (tests, exams, exercises etc.) ……….. X - Ratio between efforts and results ……………..……………. X - Major subject in general …………………………................. X



7

Designing the questionnaire

A Personal Data

B Questions regarding the situation before starting your studies at NUoL

C Questions regarding the course of the studies in general

D Questions regarding the major subject

E Questions regarding the subject of vocational teacher training

F Questions regarding the transition from studies to present occupation



8

Initial results (B – situation before entering university)

• The vast majority of respondents started their studies directly after completion of general education.

• Only a minority had previously worked – as a teacher – and used the studies in order to acquire the Bachelor.



9

Initial results(C – course of studies in general)

• The study course was rated as generally positive and a good basis for further professional development (+)

• The teaching of professional knowledge was evaluated as particularly positive (+)

• Studies in general should be improved urgently in terms of practical preparation for professional life (–)

• Analytical skills/critical thinking were not strengthened (–)

• Some lecturers show a lack of interest in the students themselves or in their academic success (–)



10

Initial results (D – major subject)

• Outstanding motives for the choice of the individual subject:1. Interest in the subject2. Multiple employment opportunities in the future3. Good chances to get a secure job – not a well paid job

• Weak points which need to be improved desperately:1. Practical training (improvement and extension)2. Quality and actuality of the content of lessons3. Teaching material/media, classroom equipment



11

Initial results (E – subject of vocational teacher training)

• Outstanding motives for the choice of the individual subject:1. Interest in the subject2. Multiple employment opportunities in the future3. Opportunity to get a scholarship4. Good chances to get a secure job – not a well paid job

• Weak points which need to be improved desperately:1. Practical training (improvement and extension)2. Application of theoretical knowledge (particularly considering the preparation of lessons)3. Coordination within FE/NUoL (between VTTD and different Departments/Faculties



12

Initial results(F – transition to present occupation)

* both unemployed graduates are males and graduated in 2008/09** one self-employed graduate sales computer-equip. (full-time), the other runs a construction company (part-time)

Employment2

2

24

Unemployed

Self-employed

Employed



13


How long did it take to find your first employment after your studies?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Less than 1month

1 – 3months

3 – 6months

6 – 9months

9 – 12months

More than12 months

Reihe1

23 out of 27 respondents (85.19 %) found an employment within 6 months!



14


Distribution of Employers

10

7

7vocational schools(public = 9, private = 1)

private companies (EdL,ETL, DM, LTC etc.)

public administration(Ministries, Bank of LaoPDR etc.)

10 out of 24 employed graduates (41.67 %) got a job as a teacher!



15


If you currently don´t work as a vocational teacher, please name the reasons.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Immediateengagement by

current employer

Unsatisfying workconditions

No engagement byvocational schools

(public)

Don´t want towork as a voc.

Teacher

Reihe1



16


F 7 To what extent the following aspects made an impact on finding your first job after graduation? (please rate each item below with an “x” in the appropriate column)

Applies fully

Applies not at all

- Bachelor degree ………..…………………………... 11 4 7 1 - Grade of bachelor degree …………………………... 8 6 6 2 1 - Major subject ……………………………………………… 15 2 5 2 - Subject of vocational education …………………………... 12 6 3 2 - Subject of thesis …………………………................. 8 7 4 1 2 1 - Professional experience ……………………………………. 8 11 1 1 1 2 - Practical skills …………………………................................ 5 8 3 3 2 2 - Foreign language skills …………………………................. 13 4 3 1 1 3 - Recommendation by lecturer ………............................... 10 4 4 2 1 1 - Relationship to enterprise owner ………............................... 4 4 2 7 1 5 - References / connections ……….............................................. 8 4 1 4 3 1



17


Yearly Salary (average, in LAK)

7.016.600

21.000.000

6.126.667

0

5.000.000

10.000.000

15.000.000

20.000.000

25.000.000

vocational schools private companies publicadministration



18

Reffering initial results to the objectives

Objectives Results

Whereabouts of graduates

Around 40 % of graduates work at a vocational school.

Practical relevance of teacher training

The graduates miss sufficient practical exercises, internships and the application of theoretical knowledge. Therefore they do not feel well prepared for their professional life.

Motivation to study vocational teacher education

1. Interest in the subject2. Multiple employment opportunities in the future3. Opportunity to get a scholarship4. Good chances to get a secure job

Relevance of the academic education for the professional career of the graduates in general

Most of the graduates certify their studies to be highly beneficial, even if the preparation for professional life must be improved significantly.



19

Thank you for your attention!

If you have further questions or comments,don´t hesitate to get in touch with me.

[email protected]+856 (0)20 96590050

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

24th February 2011, Vientiane "Improving the Curriculum for Vocational Teacher Education" 1 Empirical evidence of Bachelor program (Tracer Study) Initial