Research in Technology Education - International Approaches

Cover

Imprint

Contents

Preface

The T and E in STEM: From promise to practice (Marc J. de Vries)

Introduction

Promises, promises …

The threats

The mysterious E

A possible way forward

References

How boys’ and girls’ technical interest differs: A research study (Victoria Adenstedt)

1. Introduction

Definition of ‘interest’

2. Interest by socialization

3. Career choices in science and technology

4. Technology education in schools

5. Research context

6. Sample and data collection

7. Research design

Pre-Test

Scale No. 1 Frequency And Duration Of Dealing With Technical Objects

Scale No. 2 Emotional Acceptance

Scale No. 3 Cognitive Interest

Scale No. 4 Knowledge

8. Statistical analysis and results

Frequency and popularity of favoured activities differ by gender

Frequency of dealing with technical objects differs by gender

Popularity of dealing with technical objects differs by gender

No difference in general interest to develop technology knowledge

Interest in technology differs by gender

No difference in interest in ICT by gender

No difference of technology knowledge by gender

9. Conclusion and discussion

References

Exploring energy related knowledge in technology and natural science education. Uncovering energy related understanding of students in the German federal state North Rhine-Westphalia at the end of lower secondary education (Johannes Deutsch)

1. Introduction

1.1 Energy Education: An Important part of civic literacy

1.2 Energy Related Knowledge in technology and science education and the life-world domain

2. Methodology

2.1 Uncovering Knowledge with Certainty Based Assessment

2.2 Development of the Test Instrument

2.3 Study Setting and Participants

2.4 Data Collection and Analysis

3. Findings and Discussions

3.1 Internal Reliabilities

3.2 Students’ understanding of practical-everyday energy knowledge

3.3 Students’ understanding of conceptual energy knowledge

4. Conclusions

5. Acknowledgements

Appendix A.

References

Problem Solving in Technology Education. Development of an engineering design task to investigate action-oriented problem-solving processes (Tatiana Esau)

1. Starting point and objective of the project

2. Design of the research project

3. Theoretical background

3.1 Problem and general problem solving

3.2 Engineering design problems

3.3 The engineering design process as a specific case of problem solving

4. Development of an engineering design problem for the main study

5. Testing and selecting a suitable engineering design problem

5.1 Testing of the developed problems

5.2 Selection of a suitable engineering design problem and conclusion

References

Empathiser, Systemiser or Balanced: Understanding pupils’ “Personality Types” and what this says about their enjoyment of school subjects (Katie Klavenes)

1. Introduction

2. A lack of women in STEM

2.1 Research Methodology

2.2 Research Findings & Discussion

3. Moving forward

References

Understanding Tech Socialisation and its Impact on Tech in the Classroom: An Empirical Pilot in Assessing Student Teachers’ Biography and Instructional Belief (Alexander Koch & Lena Wenger)

1. Introduction

2. Research questions

3. Theory

3.1 The Swiss teacher education and school system

3.2 Tech socialisation

3.3 The intention to act: The Rubicon model of action phases for tech instruction

3.4 Hypotheses

4. Method

4.1 Variable assessment and psychometric properties

4.2 Data acquisition, sample & data analysis

5. Results

6. Discussion

References

Is problem solving competence in handling everyday technical devices a two-dimensional construct? (Jennifer Stemmann)

1. Introduction

2. Theoretical Framework

3. Method

4. Results

5. Discussion

References

Trainees’ view on the different emphasis of topics in VET between dual partners in Germany. An empirical study on electronics technicians at the end of vocational training (Leo van Waveren)

1. Introduction and research questions

2. Data collection and methods

3. Results and discussion

4. Discussion

References

An activity theoretical research lens on inquiry-based learning (Charles Max)

1. Introduction

2. Inquiry-based learning in the 21st Century

3. Inquiry as activity

4. Modelling the activity

5. The appropriate unit of analysis (UoA)

6. Three Planes of Analysis

7. Partial lenses and methodologies

8. Epistemological considerations

9. To sum up

References

Development of a concept for promoting comprehensive technological education (Stefan Kruse)

1. Brief project description

2. Objectives and content topics

2.1 Traffic and drive engineering

2.2 Safety engineering

2.3 Production technology

2.4 Networked environment

3. Pedagogical justification of the materials

4. Results and findings from the author’s research on the project’s subject area

5. Methodological procedure and evaluation concept

6. Selected results of the first two stages of the evaluation

Preliminary results of the first stage of the evaluation

Results of the second stage of the evaluation

7. Project planning and milestones

8. Importance for professionals

9. Networking

References

Activity Orientation in Engineering Education (Benedikt Schwuchow)

1. Introduction

2. Concepts of Education

2.1 Problems as Origins of Learning

Problem-Based Learning in Engineering Education

2.2 Action-Orientated Learning

2.3 Constructive Alignment

3. Blended Learning

Designing Blended Learning

Guiding Principles of Creating Blended Learning

Didactic Layout of Blended Learning

4. Combining Learning Principles

Example: Learning About Computer Numerical Control

5. Outlining a Research Framework

6. Summary

References

Teachers’ Scaffolding in Problem Solving Tasks. Development of a Coding System for a Case Study in Technology Education in German Primary Schools (Julia Steinfeld)

1. Theoretical background

1.1 Aims of Technology Education in Primary Schools

1.2 Problem Solving as an Appropriate Approach in Technology Education

1.3 Scaffolding in Problem Solving Environments

2. Research Questions

3. Design

4. Coding System

5. Summary and Next Steps

References

List of Authors