A rationale for industrial arts teacher education at Jackson State College

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a rationale for an undergraduate industrial arts teacher education program at Jackson State College. The intention of this study is to develop a rationale that will support a sufficient program for industrial arts teacher education which will adequately prepare teachers to teach industrial arts in junior and senior schools of a contemporary society.In developing this rationale, the writer is concerned with the following approaches:1. Functions of industrial arts education;2. Analysis of major contemporary curriculum efforts in industrial arts education;3. Selected areas that are considered relevant to the functions of industry.To assist in the effort of developing this rationale for the industrial arts teacher education program at Jackson State College, the writer analyzed three selected innovative programs in industrial arts education. The first study involved contemporary approached which were the interpretations of industrially and technologically oriented programs. These programs included: a) The American Industry Project, b) Industrial Arts Curriculum Project, and c) Industrial Arts: A Study of Industry and Technology (The Maryland Plan), The second concern was to conduct library research on related information pertaining to industrial arts teacher education and review master theses and doctoral dissertations pertaining to undergraduate teacher education. The third consideration was to study abstracts of instructional materials in vocational and technical education put out by ERIC Clearinghouse, the Center for Vocational and Technical Education. (Ohio State University)This paper propose to develop an industrial arts undergraduate teacher education program capable of meeting the challenges of the future. Based on this study, the writer anticipates setting up an adequate industrial arts undergraduate teacher education program at Jackson State College, Jackson, Mississippi.While this manuscript was focused directly on the industrial arts department at Jackson State College, it is hoped that the outcome will be an influential factor on the public schools in the State of Mississippi.In an effort to provide a defensible program of industrial arts education at Jackson State College, it was discovered that clear and realistic objectives are essential. Therefore, the writer adopted the following four objectives which are inclusive of the nine objectives of industrial arts first written in 1937.1. Understanding of Industry2. Discover Talents3. Problem-Solving4. Develop SkillsAfter having studied selected contemporary programs in industrial arts education, it was discovered that just one of the contemporary programs in industrial arts education could not be applied to the industrial arts curriculum at Jackson State College and meet its total objectives and purpose. (Self-Study Committee's Report on Statement of Purpose, August, 1970) Based on the findings of the above research data, a combination of two, three or more selected contemporary programs could arrive at objectives set by the Industrial Arts Department at Jackson State College and those of the profession, all in accord with the college's purpose.In an attempt to meet those objectives set forth by the college and the profession, the writer combined the efforts of the above three selected programs and from those identified four elements of industry that are common to many leading innovative programs in industrial arts education. The four elements are:1. Manufacturing2. Communication3. Construction4. TransportationThe above elements are believed to be adequate for a structured curricular framework for an undergraduate industrial arts teacher education program at Jackson State College.