Using digital technology in Design and Technology pedagogy to support the attainment of 21st century skills by senior secondary students in Botswana

Authors

  • Kelaotswe Archie Galeboe National Arts Council of Botswana.
  • Richie Moalosi University of Botswana
  • Yaone Rapitsenyane University of Botswana
  • Victor Ruele University of Botswana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/jb1tfx46

Keywords:

Technology, Pedagogy, 21st century skills, Case study, Design and technology

Abstract

Technology-based learning and the development of 21st century skills have the potential to transform the traditional teacher-centred approach into a more student-centred approach. Digital technology integration can be harnessed to foster effective learning and teaching. This study utilised the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) theoretical framework and explores the utilisation of digital technology in the learning and teaching of Design and Technology (D&T) in Botswana’s senior secondary schools, with the aim of fostering the development of 21st century skills among students. The study adopted a case study that involves the collection of data from school heads, teachers and students through a survey. The findings indicate that 83.3% of school heads were somewhat satisfied with available digital technology resources in schools. The study reveals that 37.5% of the D&T students who perceive their teachers as possessing critical thinking skills are good at using digital technology resources during the lesson. This implies that it is imperative to recognise the importance of leveraging the pedagogical benefits of integrating digital technology to
impart 21st century skills and competencies within Design and Technology teaching and learning contexts.

Author Biographies

  • Kelaotswe Archie Galeboe, National Arts Council of Botswana.

    Kelaotswe Archie Galeboe is the Manager of Research and Publications at the National Arts Council of Botswana.

  • Richie Moalosi, University of Botswana

    Professor Richie Moalosi is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Design and Technology at the University of Botswana. He has over 20 years of teaching experience at the university level. He works with small micro-enterprises, community-based organisations and creative communities to uplift their brands and product or service innovation capabilities as these are considered to be the next engine of economic growth in Botswana and Africa. His specialisation and research interest areas include the following: design and culture, design education, sustainable design, social innovation, additive manufacturing, and post-graduate students’ supervision. He has also published extensively in international peer-reviewed journals, contributed book chapters, published books and presented at many international peer-reviewed conferences.  

  • Yaone Rapitsenyane, University of Botswana

    Dr Yaone Rapitsenyane is a Service Designer and a lecturer of Sustainable Design at the University of Botswana.  With over 10 years of university teaching and community engagement experience, he leads engagement activities such as workshops and collaborative teaching projects. His research interests work include imparting design capabilities in manufacturing and service SMEs, developing sustainable business models for SMEs and developing sustainable Product Service System curricula for African universities. He continues to publish in per-reviewed journals, book chapters and peer-reviewed international conferences. 

  • Victor Ruele, University of Botswana

    Dr Victor Ruele is a lecturer of Technology education in the Department of Industrial Design and Technology at the University of Botswana. He has taught at the University of Botswana since June 2006. He teaches mainly technology related courses for pre-service and in-service teachers. Prior to this, he had worked as a teacher and head of department in senior secondary schools as well as a teacher training college. His subject expertise spans over 30 years; 13 years at university level; 5 years at a teacher training college; 9 years at senior secondary schools and 3 years at junior secondary school level. As his contribution to the field, he has been actively involved in the development of the D&T teaching syllabus for senior secondary schools and has offered academic leadership towards the development of systems and control syllabus content. As a technology educator, he has been involved in the continuous professional development (CPD) of the local teachers especially in the field of control technology. Furthermore, he has been involvement with the training of D&T teachers from Eswatini and Lesotho.  

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Published

10-12-2025

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Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025): The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning

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Galeboe, K. A., Moalosi, R., Rapitsenyane, Y., & Ruele, V. (2025). Using digital technology in Design and Technology pedagogy to support the attainment of 21st century skills by senior secondary students in Botswana. The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning, 20(2), 28-54. https://doi.org/10.17159/jb1tfx46

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