Industrial Arts Education: Issues and Directions in the 1980s.

Overview & Synopsis

Industrial arts education is a comprehensive education program concerned with technology; industry; students understanding of themselves, their talents, and their abilities; development of job skills; and familiarization of students with occupational clusters. As such, it is closely interrelated with vocational education and career education. A current issue in industrial arts education is the conflict of philosophy versus practice. Contemplation of technology rather than craftsmanship (handling of implements and materials of technology) is mistakenly seen as the means to achieve better quality of work. Another current issue in industrial arts is the role of career education. Career guidance is not "beneath" the purposes of industrial arts education; those in the field should guide students in making wise career choices. Emphases for the future of industrial arts education are further individualizing and improving the quality of instruction, overcoming the problems of the teacher shortage and of poor teacher quality, and solving the problem of inadequate financial resources. (YLB)