Theory and practice in vocational curricula - myths and realities

Authors

  • Halvor Spetalen Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/sjvd.2264

Keywords:

Yrkesopplæring, teori, praksis, læreplan, restaurant- og matfag

Abstract

The proportion of practice and theory in vocational education is a topic that is constantly discussed in the media as well as different professional forums. Two central issues prevail in these discussions:

1. That the proportion of common core general subjects has increased compared to earlier.

2. That vocational education and training has become more theoretical, following the implementation of the Norwegian National Curriculum for Knowledge Promotion (LK06).

The purpose of this article is to discuss these issues through both a systematic literature search and document analysis of the curricula in the educational programs for restaurant and food subjects between 1976 and 2006. 

Although the emphasis is on subjects and allocated teaching hours in the curricula for restaurant and food subjects, the article is also relevant to other vocational curricula as these have had, at various times, a similar structure. 

The results of the analyses show that the proportion of common core general subjects has been strengthened at the cost of vocational content in the period 1976- 2006. However further discussions and distinctions would need to be addressed in order to say if this has led to school based vocational education becoming more classroom- and theory orientated. The curriculum analysis does not give sufficient indication to conclude this.

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Author Biography

Halvor Spetalen, Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus

Fakultet for Lærerutdanning og Internasjonale studier, Institutt for yrkesfaglærerutdanning

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Published

2017-09-14

How to Cite

Spetalen, H. (2017). Theory and practice in vocational curricula - myths and realities. Scandinavian Journal of Vocations in Development, 2. https://doi.org/10.7577/sjvd.2264

Issue

Vol. 2 (2017)

Section

Scientific Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2017 Halvor Spetalen

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