Assessing the level of preparedness, preferences, and fears of first-year science students at the Central University of Technology, Free State

Abstract

This exploratory and descriptive study examines the perceptions of first-year science students regarding their preparedness for the programme, their preferences and their fears as they embark on university education for the first time. A questionnaire was used to collect data from all the first year students enrolled in the programme in 2008. Seventy students answered the questionnaire from a class of 78. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were used to analyse and present data in the study. The results showed that students differed in their preparedness for the programme, their preferences regarding teaching methodologies, learning methods, and classroom climates, and the kinds of fear or apprehension about the programme and university education. Some recommendations regarding the teaching and learning of science are made.