Technology Education - the Ethical Challenge

Introduction: In everyday thinking and discussion, the concepts of technique (technical methods, as in a craft or in scientific research) and technology are often regarded as synonymous. On closer analysis, one realizes that this is not the truth of the matter. On the contrary, the difference in the concepts introduces the ethical viewpoint. Technique, which generally refers to tools, equipment and machines or know-how about their use or control, is an instrument which, as such, does not does not inherently have good or bad qualities. However, the results depend on where and how it is used (Parikka & Rasinen, 1994). Technique becomes technology when it is applied to a certain task. Thus, on…

Metallintyöstötekniikat, puuntyöstökoneet ja perustyövälineet tutuiksi

Development of teacher education students’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) through reflection and a learning-by-doing approach in craft and technology education

The approaches of learning by doing and making have always been inherent components of Finnish craft and technology education. Craft is a practical subject that involves many hands-on activities during which students actively practice experimentation, investigation, invention, problem-solving and designing skills. The same ideology is utilised in craft and technology teacher education courses at the University of Jyväskylä. The overall purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of the development of teacher education students’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in craft and technology education through reflection and the learning- by-doing approach. To achieve this goal, stude…

Koulutuksen kulttuurit ja hyvinvoinnin politiikat : Verkkojulkaisu

Technology Education in Finnish Comprehensive Schools

Finnish technology education dates back to 1866 when craft education was accepted to be one of the compulsory subjects in the school curriculum. Uno Cygnaeus, founder of Finnish general education, considered ‘technological’ contents an important part of craft education. Cygnaeus emphasised dexterity, design and aesthetics but also consideration, innovation and creativity (Kantola, 1997). He also underlined the importance of realising the connections between natural sciences and craft education (Kantola et al., 1999).

Developing technology education : in search of curriculum elements for Finnish general education schools

Monien teknologisen elämäntavan valinneiden maiden yleissivistävissä kouluissa on viime vuosina aloitettu teknologiakasvatus. Myös suomalaisen peruskoulun ja lukion opetussuunnitelmien perusteiden (1994) mukaan teknologia on osa yleissivistystä. Asiakirjat eivät kuitenkaan määrittele, mitä teknologinen yleissivistys on, eivätkä anna operationaalisia ohjeita sen järjestämiseksi. Teknologiakasvatuksen opetussuunnitelman uudistamista on pohdittu paljon myös julkisuudessa. Samalla on tullut esiin teollisuuden ja työnantajien huoli teknologiakasvatuksen opiskelusta (tai paremminkin opiskelemattomuudesta) Suomen kouluissa. Aki Rasisen vastaväittäjä professori William E. Dugger Jr. käytti vastikää…

Identifying Past and Current Trends in Technology Education in Finland

Technology education makes a unique contribution to the development of all young people by providing them a wide range of knowledge and skills. It has a role in shaping future debates and discourses by developing students’ technological literacy and by raising awareness of various dimensions of technology. In order to understand technology education in Finnish basic education, it is necessary to consider it within the subject of craft, particularly the domain of technical craft activities. However, the role of technology education has been and still is undefined in Finland. Thus, we need strategic planning and research in order to develop the necessary procedures and operations to achieve i…

In the spirit of Uno Cygnaeus : pedagogical questions of today and tomorrow

Current and future trends and issues facing technology education in Finland : Taking part in an international Delphi study

This study is part of an international research collaboration aimed at identifying current and future trends and issues in technology education in Belgium, Finland, Japan and the USA. The three-round Delphi method was utilised to solicit information from technology education stakeholders in Finland from November 2019 to April 2020. The panel of experts (N=31) comprised technology education teacher educators, researchers and experts of the national LUMA (STEM) 2020 programme and technology education developers. During the Delphi process both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilized in gathering information and analysing the findings. In this article the focus is on comparing the…

An example of making