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Transition technology in Ireland: An experimental course

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Abstract

The three-week course described in this paper was designed as part of a programme to introduce technology to pupils in Ireland of age 15 + in the ‘Transition’ year. This year is between the end of compulsory schooling and the beginning of the two-year cycle of study for the Leaving Certificate Examination. An integrated model of technology is described which is based on Whitehead's (1932) rhythmic theory of learning. The ‘romance’ stage begins with an intensive course in manufacturing technology based on a series of projects. The paper ends with a description and evaluation of the first trial of the course.

The experimental course described in this paper was designed by S Owen, Head of the Design Faculty, North Manchester College, Manchester, England and J Heywood, Professor of Teacher Education in the University of Dublin, Trinity College. The course was implemented by S Owen who was assisted by R Duff of St David's School, Artane, and the Revs L Canny and K Mullen of the Marino Curriculum Service, St Mary's College of Education, Marino, Dublin. The project was financed by the Marino Curriculum Service and the participating schools.

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References

  • CEB (1986), Transition Year Programmes: Guidelines for Schools, Curriculum and Examinations Board: Govemment Publications, Dublin.

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  • CEB (1987), Science, Technology and the post-Primary Curriculum. A discussion paper, Curriculum and Examinations Board: Govemment Publications, Dublin.

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  • HeywoodJ (1986), ‘Toward Technological Literacy in Ireland: opportunities for an inclusive approach’ in: HeywoodJ and MatthewsP. (Eds) (1986), Technology, Society and the School Curriculum: Practice and Theory in Europe, Roundthorn Publishing, Manchester.

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  • Murray M and Donovan J (1986), ‘Resources and Deficiencies in the Voluntary Sector of Secondary Education in Ireland’ in: Heywood J and Matthews P.

  • Whitehead A N(1932), The Aims of Education and Other Essays, Benn.

  • Wilmot R (1988), ‘Ideas are fine, it's the execution that fails’, The Times, 8 March.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. North Manchester College, Manchester, UK

    S Owen

  2. Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin, UK

    J Heywood

Authors
  1. S Owen
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  2. J Heywood
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Additional information

This is an extended version of a paper published in DATER 88 (Longmans, 1989). We are grateful to the editor J.S. Smith for permission to reprint large sections from the original.

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Owen, S., Heywood, J. Transition technology in Ireland: An experimental course. Int J Technol Des Educ 1, 21–32 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00420293

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00420293

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