But will the teacher like it? Cultures of competency-based training and the development of proficiency

Abstract

This paper addresses issues arising out of a small, naturalistic study involving young women in a competency-based training (CBT) course in Office Administration. The study, conducted in Victoria, Australia, was designed to explore how Technical and Further Education (TAFE) student groups, differing in ethnicity and social class backgrounds, responded to certain aspects of a CBT programme. From a socio-cultural perspective, it appears that this programme presents students with many dilemmas about learning, for example, how to obtain a comfortable degree of teacher assistance during learning sessions, methods of resolution of these dilemmas through the improvisation of new group practices appearing to differ along cultural lines. Importantly, some of these practices are likely to interfere with the development of proficiency, thus potentially leading to further educational disadvantage related to ethnic origin and social class. Practical implications for VET practitioners are explored. © 1998 Journal of Vocational Education and Training. All right reserved.