Technology Lessons sawed off Schools Inspectorate – New Technology

     The school fails to increase student interest in technology shows National Supervisory Authority’s review of the subject technology in elementary school. Photo: TT
     

The teaching of technique is criticized by the Schools Inspectorate. Engineering interest decreases drastically, especially among girls. Every teacher is not competent.

Schools Inspectorate has for the first time examined the teaching of technology in elementary school. The 30-page report confirms the picture of a subject that is set aside. At the 22 schools Schools Inspectorate visited lacks half of the technology teachers eligibility. Although technology is a separate subject often lack both on schedule and within school timetables.

One of the goals of the subject technology is to increase students’ interest in technology, but rather to increase as decreasing interest? – Most especially among girls. In fifth grade answer 88 percent of boys and 86 percent of girls said that they think that the subject technology is interesting. In ninth grade corresponding figures are 70 and 37 percent respectively.

– It is the most serious outcome, said Christian Magnusson, who led the review of the Schools Inspectorate.

The report shows that the technique many times becomes a “craft activity with weak theoretical basis.” Students testify for simple and overly controlled construction data they do not understand the purpose of.

– Students do not understand what they are learning. Many teachers are also uncomfortable with the teaching technique, and it is also certified teachers, said Christian Magnusson.

Also missing instructional materials and equipment, especially in the upper grades. Despite requests from students so used, for example, computers in education.

The number of teaching hours varies greatly. Although the curriculum is based on approximately 200 hours Technology in elementary school so had a school only dedicating 75.

– On so few hours, it is not reasonable to keep up with the curriculum, said Christian Magnusson.

The teaching is also too low. There are examples of schools where teaching at the high school is on the middle level.

This raises questions about the grading. Although many schools do not follow the syllabus to get almost all the students passing grades.

– Grading has not been included in our review, but this is a contradiction that there is reason to look upon the said Christian Magnusson.

He emphasizes that, despite everything, are bright spots.

– There are many enthusiasts who do a fantastic job. The schools we visited have also received a boost, said Christian Magnusson.

The audited schools must now report to the Schools Inspectorate how they will improve engineering education.