Abstract:

Digitization of practical lessons involves transferring traditional in-person hands-on practical demonstrations into digital formats by means of images and video recordings. However, following a teacher-led class, this teaching approach eases teachers' workload because students will be using digital resources like smartphones and tablets to recall and practice the demonstrated practical skills; and that create enough time for teachers to monitor and evaluate of Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities in the classroom or workshop. Thus, using a case study research strategy, this study aimed to investigate whether digitization of practical lessons could assist to overcome the challenge of limited time for PBL activities in schools. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of twelve (12) Civil Technology teachers to participate in this study. Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews instruments were used as data-collection methods. Data collected was analysed using a thematic analysis. The study found that Civil Technology teachers preferred hands-on demonstration method and the use of video recordings to conduct PBL. Furthermore, this study found that most Civil Technology teachers from Ekurhuleni East does have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge and their schools have access to educational technologies like computers, smart-bords and internet coverage in their yards that may support digital teaching and learning. Therefore, this study recommends digitization of Civil Technology practical lessons for effective teaching and convenience purposes.

Keywords:

Digitization, practical lessons, project-based Learning, educational technologies, civil technology.