Use of Instructional Methods Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills by Business Studies Teachers in Eswatini ()
ABSTRACT
Higher order thinking (HOTs) is the ability to transfer knowledge, think
critically, and solve problems (Collins, 2014). However, there is no study
conducted on the analysis of HOTs in Business Studies in the Kingdom of Eswatini
yet the subject is the most poorly performed. Therefore, this study sought to
determine the extent to which teachers use the
instructional methods that are prescribed in the Eswatini Business Studies
curriculum to develop higher order thinking skills in learners. A mixed method approach and
convergent parallel design were used. Stratified
random sampling technique was used to select seven teachers for participation
in the study. An observation schedule having a 5-point Likert scale, face-to-face interview guide
and document analysis protocol was used in data collection. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, frequencies and percentages. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative
data. The findings of the study indicated that Business Studies teachers rely
more on instructional methods which develop lower order thinking skills (LOTs)
rather than higher order thinking skills (HOTS). The study concluded that a majority of the Business Studies teachers
use Question and answer method, lecture method, and teacher-led discussion
method. Question and answer method was the most used, even though teachers were
asking learners closed-ended questions. Business Studies teachers did not use
most of the instructional methods that are recommended for the teaching of
Business Studies subject. The study concluded that the extent of using
instructional methods prescribed by the curriculum to develop HOTs is
inadequate and unsatisfactory. Therefore, Business Studies learners are not
prepared well to succeed in EGCSE examination, the world of work and life in
general. It was recommended that cluster workshops be conducted to help
teachers understand how the instructional methods that potentially develop HOTS
are applied using the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Share and Cite:
Ndlela, N. , Pereira, L. and Oloyede, I. (2020) Use of Instructional Methods Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills by Business Studies Teachers in Eswatini.
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
8, 41-52. doi:
10.4236/jss.2020.88004.