TITLE:
The Implications for the Curriculum of the Learning Opportunities Provided to Students Studying Office Management and Technology during Work Integrated Learning
AUTHORS:
Thobekile Octavia Ndhlovu, Sijuwade Adedayo Ogunsola, Bongani Innocent Dlamini, Robert Walter Dumisani Zondo
KEYWORDS:
Office Management and Technology, Work Integrated Learning, University of Technology, Mentor, Curriculum, and Working Environment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.3,
March
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: The field of secretarial and administrative work is confronted with challenges posed by the quick development of office technology, organizational reorganizations, and shifts in the global economy. These challenges impact not only the workers who are currently employed as secretaries or administrative staff but also higher education institutions and students pursuing administrative careers. As a result, workplace demands must be better met by both industry and academic institutions. This study looks at the learning opportunities provided to Office Management and Technology (OMT) students during Work-integrated Learning (WIL). It also investigates the implications for the curriculum to enhance workplace and classroom learning and makes recommendations for changes to the OMT curriculum at Universities of Technology (UoTs). It further explores and presents the skills, attributes, and competencies that OMT graduates must have in the workplace of the twenty-first century. Moreover, it gives UoT office technology departments a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of their current curriculum, enabling them to make any necessary improvements. This research comprises a case study involving Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). Due to its sole reliance on surveys, the approach was primarily quantitative; however, a petite amount of qualitative data emerged from the open-ended questions. In addition to giving participants a chance to voice their ideas, the qualitative questions served to interpret the quantitative information included in the questionnaire. The study included two sets of questionnaires that were given to two distinct divisions of the targeted population: MUT third-year OMT students who participated in work-integrated learning and industry supervisors who oversee OMT students at DUT and MUT. The analysis demonstrates how well the existing OMT program satisfies the fundamental demands of the sector. There is evidence, that workplace and classroom learning both require improvement. For OMT curricula to be more relevant and responsive in workplaces, the study also identified new competencies and qualities that must be included. According to the findings, universities and businesses should work together to improve student readiness for professional needs and that the Office Management and Technology curriculum be revised regularly.