Background: Lecturers’ Competences in Relation to Students’ Academic Performance

Lecturers’ Competences in Relation to Students’ Academic Performance

Background

Teachers are regarded as the most imperative school-based factor that influences students’ achievement levels. Poor academic performance by numerous students in both higher education and training public and private institutions has gained significant attention by most researchers in the field of educational management. Previous studies on the subject on students’ academic performance by AL-Mutairi (2011) and Kang’ahi et al (2012) indicate although there exist several factors that influence students’ academic performances, but lecturer competence remains one of the major determinants of students’ academic achievements. According to Adunola (2011) and Ganyaupfu (2013), teaching is a collaborative process which encompasses interaction by both learners and the lecturer. Following Akiri & Ugborugbo (2009), lecturer competence in teaching process is a multidimensional concept that measures numerous interrelated aspects of sharing knowledge with learners which include communication skills, subject matter expertise, lecturers experience, lecturers teaching skills, lecturers qualification and lecturers attitude. Therefore, consistent evaluation of the a six mentioned distinct factors of lecturers competence is imperative since in practice, the competence of a lecturer is directly measured by students’ academic achievements (Schacter & Thum, 2004; Adediwura & Tayo, 2007; and Adu & Olatundun, 2007). For instance, Adunola (2011) accentuated that the teaching methods adopted by lecturers should be aligned to the subject content and specific outcomes in order to effectively enhance transmission of knowledge and information from the lecturer to the students. According to Chang (2010), each individual learner interprets and responds to questions in a unique way (Chang, 2010), it is therefore crucial for lecturers to regularly review their teaching competences in respect  communication skills, subject matter expertise, lecturers experience, lecturers teaching skills, lecturer qualification and lecturer attitude.

CHANGING RESEARCH TOPIC

Assalamulaikum Dr Aziah,
 I have decided to change my research topic that i have been proposed earlier on. Instead of conducting the teacher competence I would like to carry out the research on the lecturer competences that may affect student academic achievement.

My topic that I decided to amend was
"Lecturers’ Competences in Relation to Students'  Academic Performance"

Teacher competence and teacher quality are concepts that are often referred to and frequently applied in different educational contexts. Whitty (1996) identifies professional competence, which includes knowledge and understanding of children and their learning, subject knowledge, curriculum, the education system and the teacher’s role. Professional competence also necessitates skills such as subject application, classroom methodology, classroom management, assessment and recording and undertaking a wider role.

In America, the teaching competencies of under- certified school teachers were compared to the teaching competencies of regularly certified school teachers. Results indicate that the student’s academic performance of under-certified teachers did not perform significantly well compared with the student’s academic performance of the certified teachers.

According to the professional standards of teaching profession in Quezon City, the teacher competence was set for the professional guideline, consists of nine areas of competence: language and technology for teachers, curriculum development, and psychology for teachers, educational measurement and evaluation, classroom management, educational research, educational innovation and information technology and leadership. The researchers believe that the nine competencies could generate the competent teachers individually and student learning and achievement.

It is meaningful to conduct a research study to promote the teacher competence for professional development, student learning and the achievement of the school goals and objectives. This needs to be done in Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST). Teacher with high competence is one of the most significant factors manipulate the student learning as well as serving the schools to meet its objectives and missions.

http://www.ajol.info/index.php/gje