The views of industrial arts teachers in the state of Oklahoma concerning the implementation of career education

Abstract

The problem as addressed by this study was to determine the views of Oklahoma industrial arts teachers pertaining to career education objectives, methods of implementing career education, and demographic data that may influence the implementation of career education. The data were gathered from a population of 440 Oklahoma industrial arts teachers, of which 281 responded to the survey instrument. The survey instrument presented to each of the participants consisted of three sections: demographic information, contribution of industrial arts to career education, and implementation strategies. Analysis of the data received from the return of the instrument established a profile of the Oklahoma industrial arts teachers and several statistically significant items related to career education objectives preparing students for making career decisions; providing students with skills that are generally useful in the world of work; allowing students to practice effective work habits; and assisting students in the development of positive attitudes toward work. The conclusions of the study were: 1. A profile of the Oklahoma industrial arts teachers could be identified. 2. The majority of Oklahoma industrial arts teachers view the career education objective, "Preparing students for making career decisions," as being moderately achieved in their industrial arts curriculum. They indicate that the career education objectives, "Providing students with skills that are generally useful in the world of work," "Allowing students to practice effective work habits," and "Assisting students in the development of positive attitudes toward work" were achieved to a high degree in the Oklahoma industrial arts curriculum. 3. Infusion was the method identified by the majority of the responding Oklahoma industrial arts teachers as the preferred method of implementing the four identified career education objectives of the study. 4...