Understanding educators’ approaches to teaching mechanical systems and control in grade 8

The quality of instruction in Mechanical Systems and Control significantly impacts learners’ grasp of technology concepts in Grade 8. The objectives of the research were: (1) to determine how Grade 8 educators applied pedagogical strategies to teach Mechanical Systems and Control, and (2) to assess the specific practices used in the classroom. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires conducted with seven (7) Technology educators across Madibeng schools. Data was transcribed and analysed using the 6 steps of thematic analysis. The findings revealed that while educators used a variety of teaching approaches such as demonstrations, practical tasks and learner-centred discussions, there was a lack of consistency between theory and practical application due to resource constraints and limited professional development. Educators expressed a preference for interactive and hands-on strategies; challenges such as large class sizes and time limitations were reported. The study recommended targeted training workshops and curriculum alignment to enhance teaching effectiveness. These findings contributed to a deeper understanding of pedagogical practices in Technology education. For further research, a mixed-method approach could provide a more comprehensive understanding by using learner performance data to evaluate the effectiveness of various teaching strategies.