The Trade and Industrial Education Research Agenda: Implications for the Field.

Overview & Synopsis

Two studies examined trends in research examining trade and industrial (T&I) education and practitioner attitudes regarding the vitality of T&I education. The first study examined the numbers/types of research studies that were published during 1990-1992 in four journals ("Journal of Vocational and Technical Education,""Journal of Vocational Education Research,""Journal of Technology Education," and "Journal of Industrial Teacher Education"). Of the 52 articles located, 35 dealt with technology education, 11 dealt with T&I education, and 6 dealt with technical education. The second study assessed the perceptions of the 79 industrial educators attending the Mississippi Valley Industrial Teacher Education conference regarding the futures of the various fields of industrial education. The 64 respondents (response rate, 81%) represented 44 institutions (85% of which were colleges/universities). Of the 64 respondents, 53 believed that demand for technology education would increase, 9 believed it would decrease, and 2 were unsure. Thirty-two respondents thought that demand for technical education would increase, 12 stated it would decrease, and 20 were unsure. Sixteen respondents stated that demand for T&I education would likely increase, 32 stated it would likely decrease, and 16 were unsure. (Appended is the list of journal issues reviewed.) (MN)