DECIPHERING THE EFFECT OF CURRICULA ON THE PERCEPTION OF THIRD LEVEL ENGINEERING - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Citation:
Aoife NicChraith, Claire Marshall, Kevin Kelly, DECIPHERING THE EFFECT OF CURRICULA ON THE PERCEPTION OF THIRD LEVEL ENGINEERING - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS, 4th International Symposium on Engineering Education, Sheffield, UK, July 2012, 2012Download Item:
Abstract:
Recent PISA surveys have shown that Ireland’s relative ranking
in
Mathematics has fallen sharply, while Finland maintains its posit
ion at the top of the
international table. Simultaneously, Ireland is experiencing a short
age of engineers and
falling/static demand for engineering programmes, in common wit
h many Western
economies, while Finland maintains both a strong public image of the p
rofession and a
sufficient supply of able students into university.
The recent economic woes experienced in Ireland have thrown the diffic
ulties in the
STEM area into sharp focus, and there is, at least currently, a
momentum for change in
the education system. With Finland having successfully progressed
through a similar
crisis in the 1990s, and having transformed its education system, it s
eems appropriate to
examine what lessons can be learned.
The structure of the education system at secondary level in both countr
ies, with particular
focus on the STEM area, is compared and conclusions are drawn with
regard to the
relative performances in the PISA scores and the public perce
ption of the profession,
including its effect on student recruitment.
Sponsor
Grant Number
European Commission
505330-LLP-1-2009-1-SE-KA1-KA1SCR
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/kekelly
Author: KELLY, KEVIN
Other Titles:
4th International Symposium on Engineering EducationType of material:
Conference PaperAvailability:
Full text availableKeywords:
perception, society, academic structure, economic growth, engineering educationLicences: