Developing Strategies to Improve Students’ Performance in The Module “Introduction to Classroom Research” At A University of Technology

Authors

  • Mokete Letuka Central University of Technology Free State
  • Khojane Geoffrey Mokhothu Central University of Technology Free State

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31949/ijeir.v4i2.15084

Abstract

Introduction to Classroom Research (ICR) is a fundamental module that fourth-year Bachelor of Education (B-Ed) students must pass to obtain their teaching qualification. Over the last three years, the module recorded considerably poor student performance. This paper explores the reasons for students’ poor performance in the module and further suggests improvements. Pedagogical Content Knowledge was used as the theoretical framework that underpinned this study. Twenty student teachers and four lecturers were purposefully selected as participants in this study at a university of technology. Semi-structured interviews were used to generate data from the participants. The study found that B-Ed students had a negative attitude towards this module and were challenged by the concepts they were introduced to for the first time at fourth-year level.  Furthermore, this study found that lecturers do not use innovative teaching methods to enhance understanding or cater to diverse student needs regarding learning styles. The study's conclusions suggest that student teachers do not set high standards for themselves in this module and that lecturers do not use innovative teaching methods that inspire students. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that innovative teaching methods be used to accommodate diverse student needs and that artificial intelligence tools be integrated to enhance student understanding and improve their performance. It is further recommended that concepts about this module be gradually introduced as early as the first year of study

Keywords:

student performance, innovative teaching methods, diverse student needs, artificial intelligence, introduction to classroom research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Acee, T. W., Hoff, M. A., Flaggs, D. A., & Sylvester, B. (2023). Time perspective and grade expectations as predictors of student achievement and retention in the first year of community college. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 24(4), 924–946. https://doi.org/10.1177/1521025120960676

Adeoye‐Olatunde, O. A., & Olenik, N. L. (2021). Research and scholarly methods: Semi‐structured interviews. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 4(10), 1358–1367. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1441

Airaj, M. (2024). Ethical artificial intelligence for teaching-learning in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 29(13), 17145-17167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12545-x

Atchoarena, D. (2021). Universities as lifelong learning institutions: A new frontier for higher education? In The promise of higher education: Essays in honour of 70 years of IAU (pp. 311–319). https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/50705/978-3-030?sequence=1#page=295

Baki, M., & Arslan, S. (2017). Effects of mathematics content knowledge on mathematics pedagogical content knowledge. Journal of Teacher Education and Educators, 6(1), 53–68. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/646736

Balalle, H., & Pannilage, S. (2025). Reassessing academic integrity in the age of AI: A systematic literature review on AI and academic integrity. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101299

Balwant, P. T. (2018). The meaning of student engagement and disengagement in the classroom context: Lessons from organisational behaviour. Journal of further and higher education, 42(3), 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2017.1281887

Bannister-Tyrrell, M., Mavropoulou, S., Jones, M., Bailey, J., & O'Donnell-Ostini, A. (2018). Initial teacher preparation for teaching students with exceptionalities: Pre-service teachers' knowledge and perceived competence. Australian Journal of Teacher Education (Online), 43(6), 19-34. https://search.informit.org/doi/reader/10.3316/ielapa.689599024301444

Barr, R. B. (1998). Obstacles to implementing the learning paradigm—What it takes to overcome them. About Campus, 3(4), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086482298003004

Bidokht, M. H., & Assareh, A. (2011). Life-long learners through problem-based and self directed learning. Procedia Computer Science, 3, 1446–1453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2011.01.028

Botes, R., & Goede, R. (2014). Bridging the gap for IT students: Action research and design science research as research approaches for life-long learners. In ISTE International Conference on Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (p. 330). http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/4024/1/OA-Ferreira-iste_past-conf-proceedings_2014.pdf#page=330

Brynjulf Hjertø, K., Merok Paulsen, J., & Petteri Tihveräinen, S. (2014). Social-cognitive outcomes of teachers’ engagement in learning communities. Journal of Educational Administration, 52(6), 775-791. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-07-2013-0074

Burkhard, M. (2022). Student Perceptions of AI-Powered Writing Tools: Towards Individualized Teaching Strategies. International association for Development of the Information Society. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED626893.pdf

Busa, J., & Chung, S. J. (2024). The effects of teacher-centered and student-centered approaches in TOEIC reading instruction. Education Sciences, 14(2), 181. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020181

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., ... & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Cassidy, K. J., Sullivan, M. N., & Radnor, Z. J. (2021). Using insights from (public) services management to improve student engagement in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 46(6), 1190-1206. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1665010

Cowan, J., George, J. W., & Pinheiro-Torres, A. (2004). Alignment of developments in higher education. Higher education, 48(4), 439-459. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HIGH.0000046722.64326.dc

Dempere, J., Modugu, K., Hesham, A., & Ramasamy, L. K. (2023, September). The impact of ChatGPT on higher education. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 8, p. 1206936). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1206936

Desmet, T., Brijs, M., Vanderdonck, F., Tops, S., Simoens, S., & Huys, I. (2024). Implementing the EU HTA regulation: Insights from semi-structured interviews on patient expectations, Belgian and European institutional perspectives, and industry outlooks. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, 1369508. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1369508

Dhaliwal, M. K. (2015). Teachers becoming lifelong learners. The Business & Management Review, 5(4), 259. https://cberuk.com/cdn/conference_proceedings/2015iciee_india46.pdf

Dietrich, J., Schmiedek, F., & Moeller, J. (2022). Academic motivation and emotions are experienced in learning situations, so let's study them. Introduction to the special issue. Learning and Instruction, 81, 101623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101623

Evans, T., Klymchuk, S., Murphy, P. E., Novak, J., Stephens, J., & Thomas, M. (2022). Engagement of undergraduate STEM students: the influence of non-routine problems. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(1), 146-162. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1835838

Fernandez, C. (2014). Knowledge base for teaching and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK): Some useful models and implications for teachers’ training. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 60(1), 79–100. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282330568

FitzSimons, G. E. (2014). Commentary on vocational mathematics education: where mathematics education confronts the realities of people’s work. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 86(2), 291-305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-014-9556-0

Ford, N., & Chen, S. Y. (2001). Matching/mismatching revisited: An empirical study of learning and teaching styles. British Journal of Educational Technology, 32(1), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8535.00173

Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The internet and higher education, 2(2-3), 87-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6

Gildersleeve, R. E., Kuntz, A. M., Pasque, P. A., & Carducci, R. (2010). The role of critical inquiry in (re) constructing the public agenda for higher education: Confronting the conservative modernization of the academy. The Review of Higher Education, 34(1), 85-121. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2010.0009

Grabinger, S., & Dunlap, J. C. (2002, October). Problem-based learning as an example of active learning and student engagement: Invited talk. In International Conference on Advances in Information Systems (pp. 375-384). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36077-8_39

Gudmundsdottir, S., & Shulman, L. (1987). Pedagogical content knowledge in social studies. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 31(2), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/0031383870310201

Gunduz, N., & Hursen, C. (2015). Constructivism in teaching and learning: Content analysis evaluation. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 191, 526–533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.640

Hammarberg, K., Kirkman, M., & De Lacey, S. (2016). Qualitative research methods: When to use them and how to judge them. Human Reproduction, 31(3), 498–501. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dev334

Han, Y. (2021). Emerging research efficacy through scaffolded research practice: An EFL preservice teacher autobiographical narrative. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 44(1), 35-53. https://doi.org/10.1515/CJAL-2021-0003

Hashim, H. (2021). Pre-service teachers’ views on the implementation of game-based learning for academic writing skills. Sains Insani. https://www.academia.edu/download/98138870/157.pdfhttps://www.academia.edu/download/98138870/157.pdf

Hepner, S. L., & Carlson, T. E. (2018, December). Active learning to develop key research skills in master's level computer science coursework. In 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE) (pp. 840-845). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2018.8615196

Hoft, J. (2021). Anonymity and confidentiality. In The Encyclopedia of Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Vol. 1, pp. 223–227). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119111931.ch41

Ichsan, I. Z., Hasanah, R., Ristanto, R. H., Rusdi, R., Cahapay, M. B., Widiyawati, Y., & Rahman, M. M. (2020). Designing an innovative assessment of HOTS in the science learning for the 21st century. Jurnal Penelitian dan Pembelajaran IPA, 6(2), 211–224. http://dx.doi.org/10.30870/jppi.v6i2.4765

Jacobs, M. K., & Govender, S. (2020). Evaluation of the implementation of Education White Paper 6 in selected full-service schools in KwaZulu-Natal. e-BANGI, 17(3), 111–128. https://hdl.handle.net/10530/1445

Kayal, A. (2024). Transformative pedagogy: A comprehensive framework for AI integration in education. In Explainable AI for education: Recent trends and challenges (pp. 247-270). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72410-7_14

Kirkwood, A., & Price, L. (2014). Technology-enhanced learning and teaching in higher education: what is ‘enhanced’and how do we know? A critical literature review. Learning, media and technology, 39(1), 6-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2013.770404

Klykken, F. H. (2022). Implementing continuous consent in qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 22(5), 795–810. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941211014366

Korhonen, H., Heikkinen, H. L., Kiviniemi, U., & Tynjälä, P. (2017). Student teachers' experiences of participating in mixed peer mentoring groups of in-service and pre-service teachers in Finland. Teaching and Teacher Education, 61, 153–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.10.011

Krause, K. L. (2001). The university essay writing experience: A pathway for academic integration during transition. Higher Education Research & Development, 20(2), 147-168. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360123586

Kumar, V. R., & Raman, R. (2022, March). Student Perceptions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. In 2022 IEEE integrated STEM education conference (ISEC) (pp. 450-454). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISEC54952.2022.10025165

Kwok, A. (2021). Managing classroom management preparation in teacher education. Teachers and Teaching, 27(1–4), 206–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2021.1933933

Lawson, H. A., & Lawson, M. A. (2020). Student engagement and disengagement as a collective action problem. Education Sciences, 10(8), 212. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10080212

Letele, M. J., Alexander, G., & Swanepoel, Z. I. (2013). Matching/mismatching of teaching and learning styles in rural learning ecologies of Lesotho: Does it enhance academic achievement. Journal of Human Ecology, 41(3), 263-273. https://www.academia.edu/download/105515174/JHE-41-3-263-13-2322-Alexander-G-Tx_5B9_5D.pmd.pdf

Magaldi, D., & Berler, M. (2020). Semi-structured interviews. In Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences (pp. 4825–4830). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_857-1

Mansour, N., Çevik, M., Yagci, A., Alotaibi, S. B. M., & Heba, E. D. (2024). Modeling the factors influencing secondary students' performance in STEM subjects. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 23(3), 518–535. https://earsiv.kmu.edu.tr/bitstreams/b40f6fa0-dfa2-4dd8-b8a0-7727fe02add7/download

Masuku, M. M., & Masuku, S. L. (2023). The implementation of international protocols and treaties on inclusive education in the African context. In Using African Epistemologies in Shaping Inclusive Education Knowledge (pp. 141–162). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31115-4_9

Mazana, M. Y., Montero, C. S., & Casmir, R. O. (2020). Assessing students’ performance in mathematics in Tanzania: The teacher’s perspective. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 15(3), em0589. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/7994

Moosa, D. (2013). Challenges to anonymity and representation in educational qualitative research in a small community: A reflection on my research journey. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 43(4), 483–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2013.797733

Munastiwi, E. (2021). Adaptation of teaching-learning models due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenge towards teachers’ problem-solving skills. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 5(1), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v5i1.32695

Mutanga, M. B., Jugoo, V., & Adefemi, K. O. (2024). Lecturers’ Perceptions on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Tools into Teaching Practice. Trends in Higher Education, 3(4), 1121-1133. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu3040066

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231205789. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406923120578

Ndiku, J. M., & Kaluyu, V. (2020). Learner perspective of pedagogy for improved performance in STEM subjects: A literature review. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 10(4), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-1004031527

Niederhauser, D. S., Salem, D. J., & Fields, M. (1999). Exploring teaching, learning, and instructional reform in an introductory technology course. Journal of Technology and teacher Education, 7(2), 153-172. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/9309/.

Obilor, E. I. (2023). Convenience and purposive sampling techniques: Are they the same? International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research, 11(1), 1–7.

Olafson, L., & Quinn, L. (2003). Enlisting technology in instructional reform and teacher preparation. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, 19(4), 107-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402454.2003.10784473

Pekrun, R., & Linnenbrink-Garcia, L. (2012). Academic emotions and student engagement. In Handbook of research on student engagement (pp. 259-282). Boston, MA: Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_12

Pervin, N., & Mokhtar, M. (2022). The interpretivist research paradigm: A subjective notion of a social context. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(2), 419–428. https://www.academia.edu/download/88131967/the-interpretivist-research-paradigm-a-subjective-notion-of-a-social-context.pdf

Prananto, K., Cahyadi, S., Lubis, F. Y., & Hinduan, Z. R. (2025). Perceived teacher support and student engagement among higher education students: A systematic literature review. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02412-w

Priya, A. (2021). Case study methodology of qualitative research: Key attributes and navigating the conundrums in its application. Sociological Bulletin, 70(1), 94–110. https://doi.org/10.1177/003802292097031

Rasul, T., Nair, S., Kalendra, D., Robin, M., de Oliveira Santini, F., Ladeira, W. J., ... & Heathcote, L. (2023). The role of ChatGPT in higher education: Benefits, challenges, and future research directions. Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, 6(1), 41-56. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.29

Sagala, P. N., & Andriani, A. (2019, March). Development of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) questions of probability theory subject based on Bloom’s taxonomy. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1188, No. 1, p. 012025). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1188/1/012025

Sagy, O., Hod, Y., & Kali, Y. (2019). Teaching and learning cultures in higher education: a mismatch in conceptions. Higher Education Research & Development, 38(4), 849-863. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1576594

Saks, K. (2024). The effect of self-efficacy and self-set grade goals on academic outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1324007. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1324007

Shakib Kotamjani, S., Shirinova, S., & Fahimirad, M. (2023, December). Lecturers perceptions of using artificial intelligence in tertiary education in uzbekistan. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Future Networks and Distributed Systems (pp. 570-578). https://doi.org/10.1145/3644713.3644797

Sherwani, K. H., & Singh, U. S. (2015). Students’ Perception on Lecturer Evaluation in Higher Education. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 2(1), 49-61. https://ijsses.tiu.edu.iq/index.php/ijsses/article/view/634/618

Sokkhey, P., & Okazaki, T. (2019, June). Comparative study of prediction models on high school student performance in mathematics. In 2019 34th International Technical Conference on Circuits/Systems, Computers and Communications (ITC-CSCC) (pp. 1–4). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ITC-CSCC.2019.8793331

Spante, M., Hashemi, S. S., Lundin, M., & Algers, A. (2018). Digital competence and digital literacy in higher education research: Systematic review of concept use. Cogent education, 5(1), 1519143. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2018.1519143

Sprake, A., & Palmer, C. A. (2022). Understanding the interpretive paradigm: A guide for sports students learning through qualitative research. Journal of Qualitative Research in Sports Studies, 16(1), 45–68. https://clok.uclan.ac.uk/id/eprint/48569/1/Andrew_Sprake_and_Clive_Palmer_2022_Unde.pdf

Suresh, D. (2015). Case study: Research method for social sciences. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID2686385_code2450204.pdf?abstractid=2684644&mirid=1

Tan, J., Mao, J., Jiang, Y., & Gao, M. (2021). The influence of academic emotions on learning effects: A systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(18), 9678. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189678

Tang, K. H. D. (2023). Student-centered approach in teaching and learning: What does it really mean?. Acta Pedagogia Asiana, 2(2), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.53623/apga.v2i2.218

Taranto, D., & Buchanan, M. T. (2020). Sustaining lifelong learning: A self-regulated learning (SRL) approach. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 11(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.2478/dcse-2020-0002

Thake, A. M. (2025). Curriculum design and professional alignment in public policy graduate programs: A case study of post-experience professionals. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2025.2484095

Ting, F. S., Shroff, R. H., Lam, W. H., Garcia, R. C., Chan, C. L., Tsang, W. K., & Ezeamuzie, N. O. (2023). A meta-analysis of studies on the effects of active learning on Asian students' performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 32(3), 379–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-022-00661-6

Tomlinson, C. A. (2022). Everybody's classroom: Differentiating for the shared and unique needs of diverse students. Teachers College Press.

Tripathi, K. P. (2022). Classroom action research on solving problems in Janapriya Multiple Campus, Pokhara. AWADHARANA, 126–139. https://doi.org/10.3126/awadharana.v7i1.49157

Van Merriënboer, J. J., & De Bruin, A. B. (2013). Research paradigms and perspectives on learning. In Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (pp. 21-29). New York, NY: Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3185-5_2

Vargas-Murillo, A. R., de la Asuncion, I. N. M., & de Jesús Guevara-Soto, F. (2023). Challenges and opportunities of AI-assisted learning: A systematic literature review on the impact of ChatGPT usage in higher education. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(7), 122-135. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.7.7

Vlasenko, K., Chumak, O., Achkan, V., Lovianova, I., & Kondratyeva, O. (2020). Personal e-learning environment of a mathematics teacher. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(8), 3527–3535. https://www.academia.edu/download/64461841/UJER28-19516289.pdf

Wu, W. H., Kao, H. Y., Wu, S. H., & Wei, C. W. (2019). Development and evaluation of affective domain using student’s feedback in entrepreneurial Massive Open Online Courses. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1109. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01109

Yanuarto, W. N. (2020). A classroom action research (CAR): Students’ creativity enhancement through problem solving learning. Indonesian Journal of Mathematics Education, 3(1), 1–7. https://scholar.archive.org/work/jdo53ybykjcmrmehsmzdu6tqqm/access/wayback/https://jurnal.untidar.ac.id/index.php/ijome/article/download/2324/1318

Zaky, H. (2019). Infield education: Enhancing adult learners’ affective domain for transformative learning endorsement. Cogent Education, 6(1), 1693679. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2019.1693679

Žukauskas, P., Vveinhardt, J., & Andriukaitienė, R. (2018). Management culture and corporate social responsibility. BoD–Books on Demand.

Downloads

Abstract Views : 0
Downloads Count: 0

Published

2025-07-27

How to Cite

Letuka, M., & Mokhothu, K. G. (2025). Developing Strategies to Improve Students’ Performance in The Module “Introduction to Classroom Research” At A University of Technology. International Journal of Educational Innovation and Research, 4(2), 250–269. https://doi.org/10.31949/ijeir.v4i2.15084

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.