Abstract:

A dearth of knowledge exists in the professional leadership development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) managers. Quality vocational education and training is imperative to address socio-economic development and poverty in South Africa. One of the primary challenges being a lack of college leadership. The innovative Postgraduate Diploma in TVET programme in the Faculty of Education was developed as an inquiry-based blended learning programme that could address this need. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore and describe how the blended learning component of the programme influenced the first cohort of participants’ engagement in the programme and how this supported the development of their managerial skills. In this qualitative study, data were generated using reflective essays and a group reflection session with all the course participants (n=29). The reflective essays and the recording and transcription of the group reflection session were thematically analysed. The findings of this study suggest that the experiences of the course participants of the blended learning in the programme inspired them to learn how to use technology to enhance teaching and learning and promote a blended learning approach in their TVET institutions. The participants overcame their fear of technology as they were introduced to online and face-to-face learning experiences in the programme. How the lecturers facilitated blended learning in this programme became a powerful first-hand learning experience for the participants, which they were determined to replicate in their institutions through strategic visioning and planning. Although the course participants found it challenging to adjust to working from home while also studying during the COVID-19 lockdown period, a noticeable paradigm shift was accomplished. The participants were inspired and motivated when networking with international and national peers and experts in education and industry through online learning experiences

Keywords:

Leadership development, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, blended learning, inquiry-based learning.