Abstract:
A significant amount of time and effort has to go into teaching students. It is no art
when lecturers simply read from a text book. The objective of this study was to
determine the teaching methods that students at the Hotel School, Central
University of Technology, Free State, consider as most effective to support
learning. All first-year students (N=73) enrolled for the National Diploma:
Hospitality Management were targeted to participate in the survey. A mixedmethod
study design was followed, and a questionnaire consisting of closedand
open-ended questions was developed for data collection. Closed-ended
questions were rated on a five-point Likert scale, while answers to open-ended
questions were analysed to determine trends. Results showed that lecturers
used a variety of teaching methods. The lecture teaching method was rated best
by 49% of students followed by the group discussion method which was rated as
second best (19%). Case studies and brainstorming were the least-preferred
methods (4% and 0% respectively). Lecturers should ensure that maximum
information is transferred through the teaching methods that most appeal to
students. The focus should be on enabling students to practically apply the
lessons taught in everyday life.
