TACLOBAN CITY—An ongoing research on maritime education in the country has identified the foremost training needs of maritime instructors in maritime higher- education institutions (MHEIs) in the Philippines.
The study, entitled “Skills Gap Analysis of Maritime Faculty in Philippine Maritime Higher Education Institutions”, is being done by the National Maritime Polytechnic and the International Mariners Management Association of Japan-Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council Inc. (IMMAJ-PJMCC). Preliminary results of the research were released recently.
The study intends to generate information on the training and development needs of maritime faculty of MHEIs as basis in the development of an Action Plan for a National Maritime Program for Faculty Development (NMP-FD). It is initiated in the light of the full implementation of the 2010 Amendments to the STCW Convention, particularly in upgrading the teaching competencies of maritime faculty using modern technology and Web-based learning. Skills gaps were identified from five thematic areas, namely, use of technology, course design and development, course delivery, assessment and participative learning. On the Use of Technology, faculty members need enhancement on the use of simulators, including trouble-shooting, computer proficiency and technology-based instructions consisting of interactive computer-based teaching/assessment and online maritime applications that are relevant to teaching. Course Design and Development was found to need special attention on the alignment of program outcomes, course outcomes and intended learning outcomes, development of practical/laboratory/simulation exercises and consistency of lectures and laboratory exercises to courses specifications, preparation of the Instructor’s Guide (IG), updating of detailed teaching syllabus (DTS) and the development of scenario for simulation exercises.
On Course Delivery, the areas needing improvement are on English communication, teaching strategies, outcome-based education, teaching learning activity, lesson planning and test construction/item analysis.
Skills gaps that surfaced in the aspect of Assessment are on development of assessment tools and validation of assessment and laboratory exercises.
In Participative Learning, instructors need interventions on innovative classroom management, motivational skills, innovative/formative assessment, blended learning and e-learning, participative learning methodologies, cultural sensitivity, English communication and teaching methodologies applicable to outcome-based education.
Information was gathered from the Maritime Faculty Development Forum held in Davao, Cebu and Manila on February 21, February 24 and March 1, respectively. It was participated in by 210 maritime instructors who came from 61 MHEIs.
The forum employed workshop sessions that elicited the challenges, problems, issues and concerns currently faced by instructors related to maritime faculty development in consideration of the current approaches as specified by the 2010 Amendments to the STCW Convention.
Skills gaps of maritime faculty surfaced during the Maritime Faculty Development Forum workshops in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
The study is due for completion in June 2017, when findings will be disseminated to stakeholders through a forum after its presentation to the IMMAJ-PJMCC and the NMP board of trustees.
The NMP regularly conducts industry researches toward the realization of its second organizational outcome of improving the manpower sector of the maritime industry through responsive researches.