Improving students’ performance in typewriting using remedial tests and drills at Cape Coast Polytechnic

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2001-01-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Proficiency in typewriting is a prerogative of every career secretary. Every business entity that employs a secretary expects proficiency and efficiency at typewriting. In line with the educational reforms of Ghana, which established the polytechnics as tertiary institutions, Higher National Diploma programmes in secretaryship and management studies have been mounted in all the polytechnics. In a bid to produce high-level proficient secretaries at Cape Coast Polytechnic this study sought to diagnose the deficiencies in students obtaining weak grades in typewriting and to implement teaching and learning strategies to combat the situation. A participating group of 12, comprising students from SSS, ‘A’ Level and mature applicants who have been making weak grades and have had no prior knowledge in typewriting upon entry to the polytechnic was used for the study. In an attempt to help improve the affected students’ performance, a pre-test was conducted to first diagnose the weaknesses and problems of the students in typewriting. Thereafter, appropriate measures were put in place to correct and minimize the problems revealed by the pre-test. These interventions involved basically the use of remedial tests and drills and demonstration strategies and methods of teaching. In the analysis, percentages and means were used. Major findings are as follows: Students had very low speed rates as was evidenced in the pre-test. The average speed for the pre-test was 23 wpm as compared to the expected 35 wpm after two semesters of typewriting in their first year. Students’ errors made in the pre-test revealed lack of keyboard mastery, technique problems with shift key, tabulator, space bar, position of body and hands and carriage return key. Students’ pre-test scripts revealed that about 75% of the students had problems with basic knowledge in the arrangement of tables, memorandum, and letter with envelop. Informal discussion with students brought to light that there was inadequate practice outside lecture hours. Interview with staff identified absenteeism, lack of practice and indifferent attitude to the learning of typewriting, as problems hampering student performance. Post -intervention tests showed a 100% passes with Grade B and above. Post intervention test also revealed a reduction in the errors made by the students in the pre-test. Post-intervention results, end of Semester 1 results and end of Semester 2 results showed an improvement in the performance of the students. The implications of the findings and recommendations are also made for further research. The implications looked at those for the students as well as those for the staff. Recommendations made included the giving of regular drills and tests to help instill a sense of involvement in the subject and also the giving of remedial instructions as and when appropriate.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Technical Education, 2001
Keywords
Citation
Collections