Developing co-operative links between school and tertiary sectors in technology education: An induction programme approach

In Hong Kong, there has been growing concern in recent years to develop co-operative links between tertiary and school sectors. The Review Report on the Prevocational and Secondary Technical Education (Education Department, 1997) portrays the future trend in technical/technology curriculum in Hong Kong Secondary schools in the twenty first century. As the development of this new curriculum is still in progress, it inevitably creates uncertainties and anxieties among school principals and practicing teachers. This study, supported by the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong, aims to develop a collaborative link between these schools and the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) with particular emphasis on technical/technology education. Eight schools were invited to participate in this pilot study. These schools had recruited the fresh graduates of the Technical Teachers Certificate Course offered by the HKIEd. This co-operative link was planned to establish through the provision of induction support to these fresh graduates in their first year of entering the teaching profession. Initial contacts with these schools had received very positive responses. The needs of these new teachers were first surveyed and co-operation between these schools and the HKIEd was developed through collaboration in the design and implementation of school based curriculum in technology education, in line with the current trend. This paper reports on some of the preliminary finding as well as the experiences gained through such collaboration. Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.