Exploring factors affecting experiential activities and career guidance based on competency-based approaches for high school students in Ho Chi Minh City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAES.5.4.22-29Keywords:
Experiential activities, Career guidance, Competency approach, High school education, Ho Chi Minh CityAbstract
In the context of fundamental and comprehensive innovation of general education in Vietnam towards developing students' qualities and competencies, experiential activities and career guidance have become an indispensable element to help students form early career orientations, suitable to their abilities and personal conditions. This article aims to explore factors affecting the effectiveness of organizing experiential activities and career guidance based on competency-based approaches at high schools in Ho Chi Minh City. Using a mixed method, combining a quantitative survey of 121 managers, teachers and parents at 12 high schools with in-depth interviews with representatives of leaders and professional groups, the study identified four main groups of factors affecting experiential activities and career guidance: (i) the capacity and awareness of the teaching staff; (ii) orientation and support from the school management mechanism; (iii) school environment and coordination among stakeholders; and (iv) psychology and intrinsic motivation from students. The results of statistical analysis and qualitative data show the interrelationship between these factors in improving the quality of program implementation. On that basis, the article proposes some specific recommendations to improve the effectiveness of experiential activities and career guidance towards developing learners' capacity in the modern context.
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