Browsing by Author "Vuolas, Liisa"

The national core curriculum for basic education (FNBE 2014) brings changes in pedagogical outlines. Some of the key goals are to enhance pupil participation, diversify assessment and increase the use of technology. The teacher's task is to instruct and guide the pupils. The new curriculum also emphasizes transversal competences in the instruction of subjects. Furthermore there are many essential changes in crafts subject which causes stress among some craft teachers. The curriculum (FNBE 2014) defines crafts as a multimaterial subject in which the competence of managing holistic craft process (HCP) is a central principle. Crafts is defined by design, technology and craft expression. Furthermore, craft teaching requires co-teaching among craft teachers and co-operation with other subjects. This study aims to find out what kinds of reflection the new curriculum causes among craft teachers. The study was performed as a qualitative case study, in which the data was collected from the meetings of craft teachers in peer group mentoring sessions in January-March 2017. The group consisted of a mentor and eight participants who were female craft teachers in Uusimaa. The length of their teaching careers varied from two years to twenty-five years. Data was coded with ATLAS.TI-program. The analysis was data-based content analysis. According to this study, all the changes in the national core curriculum for basic education 2004 have not been fulfilled in craft teaching. Therefore the new curriculum (FNBE 2014) challenges teachers more than expected. Teachers' reflection includes a mixture of strong feelings and a large amount of questions and worries. Changes in the curriculum inspire teachers but not all teachers have the means to fulfill the requirements of the new curriculum. Learning problem-solving skills, co-operation with other teachers and student groups consisting of both girls and boys are considered the positive aspects of the new curriculum. Teachers also have more freedom to implement their teaching, and pupils can choose more optional lessons than before and be directed according to their interests. Teachers feel sorrow and anxiety because they are afraid that pupils' craft skills are weakening. The small number of craft lessons complicates the execution of the new curriculum. Some teachers experience the new technology in a very negative way as well as the experimental nature of the crafts. Instead, learning the traditional craft techniques and making "proper" artifacts is still considered important. Teachers feel positive about the increased co-operation between craft teachers but have trouble starting and finding time for it. Teachers' well-being is challenged with increased challenges. Craft teaching in accordance to the new curriculum requires resources to teaching groups sizes and to the planning co-teaching. Craft teachers need further education with design teaching, integration of technology, documentation and assessment. Teachers feel sorrow and anxiety when because they are afraid that of the weakening of pupils' craft skills are weakening. The small amount number of craft lessons is kept as a problem complicates the fulfillment execution of the new curriculum. A part Some of the teachers experience the new technology in a (very) negative way and as well as the experimental role nature of the crafts. Instead, learning the traditional craft techniques and making "proper" artifacts is experienced still considered important. Teachers experience feel positive about the increased co-operation between craft teachers good but it feels tough to start co-operation but have trouble starting and finding time for it. Teachers' well-being is challenged with increased challenges. Craft teaching in accordance to the new curriculum requires resources with to teaching groups (sizes) and to the planning of co-teaching planning. Craft teachers need further education with design teaching, integration of technology, documentation and assessment.