Å tilrettelegge for elevenes yrkesinteresser: En surveystudie av yrkesfaglærernes kompetanse i yrkesdifferensiert opplæring

Abstract

In Norway there exist two different educational pathways for vocational teachers, a bachelor programme and a postgraduate programme in education. This article reports on a comparison of teacher preparation in these two programmes that qualify vocational teachers for work in schools. The purpose is to explore the competence vocational teachers develop during teacher education that is particularly relevant for the broad introductory courses in vocational education and training (VET). Previous research has found that teachers should choose authentic learning activities relevant for working life, as well as developing students’ interests in a vocation. Cross-sectional survey data were collected among vocational teacher graduates (n = 279). Tests of mean differences indicated that the bachelor sample reported being significantly better prepared for teaching in broad courses than the postgraduate sample. However, the same difference could not be found in teachers’ report of different learning activities in school. The discussion points to how differences and similarities between content and practice arenas in teacher education can explain teachers' experiences and whether both teacher programmes develop the competence needed to teach in the broad structure of Norwegian VET.