Identifier: TDX:688
Authors: Zurita Morales, Francisco Javier
Abstract:
Subject of the researchThe research is focused on the analysis of the performance of the FCT module (Training at Workplaces) in Training Cycles, both Middle Degree and Upper Degree, related to Technical-Industrial Professional Families, belonging to the new specific FP (Vocational Training) of the General Organic Law of the Educational System (LOGSE) of 1990, which is being established in state and private schools (sustained with public funds) in the province of Zaragoza.In this sense, we expect to know and to verify the performance of the module mentioned above, necessary to obtain the corresponding qualification, through the perception of the three agents directly involved: pupils, teachers and tutors at the enterprise.Sample and method of samplingThe specific data on the population of reference that have been used for the sampling have been taken from the real data provided by the inspectors of the Provincial Service of the Departament of Education and Science of Zaragoza, in data processing backup, at the end of the year 2000.As the investigation is only going to be focused on the Technical-Industrial Professional Families, the different populations were formed by: 930 pupils, 70 teachers and 279 tutors at the enterprise.After defining the populations of the study, the following step consists of establishing the different samples. These have been selected by employing a multistage sampling (combination of different methods), non-probability by quotas with proportional-affix. It has been decided to establish as many stratus or quotas as differencial variables for the selection of the samples. To start with, it is considered the location of the school: Zaragoza or its municipalities. In the second case, it is taken into account the character of the school: if it is a state or a private school. In the third and last case, the difference of Training Levels is established: Middle Degree and Upper Degree. The researcher distributed 800 questionnaires (400 for pupils, 100 for teachers and 300 for tutors at the enterprise), of which between 10 and 20% were lost once the data were debugged, so finally the useful questionnaires that constituted the sample of research were 495 (289 from pupils, 61 from teachers and 145 from tutors at the enterprise). After the quotas were chosen the secondary schools were assigned by the researcher. The total sample went up to 20 schools, 15 of state ownership and 5 sustained with public funds (though private).Methodology of workIt is interesting to consider the opinions and perceptions in relation with the development of the agreements of practices in enterprises of the FCT Professional module of Families Technical-Industrial Families in the provincial scope of Zaragoza. But, besides, we want to go further into the knowledge of the real functioning of the module. In order to do that we will try to combine the two main styles of pedagogical and social research, that is, the quantitative one and the qualitative one.It is a matter of a descriptive research (based on qualitative and quantitative data), not only limited to observe and discover phenomena and situations that permit us to understand and to interpret what is really being done, but to offer proposals for its improvement. In that sense, besides the questionnaire as an instrument of collecting data, interviews will be carried out (non structured), which will become field notes to obtain direct information from the teachers, tutors at the enterprise and pupils. The recording and contrasting of the observations carried out by the researcher will serve, at the same time, to reinforce the credibility of the research.Techniques of analysisThe questionnaires, the interviews and observation have been considered the most efficient instruments to obtain the necessary information that allows us to give an answer to the intentions of this research.The questionnaires used have been of three types according to the recipients: pupils, teachers-tutors of FCT and tutors at the enterprise. This variety of the questionnaires corresponds to the need of having three aspects of the information obtained (data triangulation), and they have been prepared to facilitate their subsequent data processing with the program SPSS v. 10.0. Considering the characteristics of the main instrument utilized, we have determined to use the method Alpha of Cronbach to consider the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The result obtained permitted us to assure an acceptable reliability, since in all the cases the coefficient of reliability went over 0,80. After verifying the reliability through the statistical procedure already indicated, the validation has been carried out with the critical revision by judges (content validity) on the suitability, relevance and value of the instruments employed for the subject of the study.Non structured interviews were carried out in a field notebook, too, without prior questionnaire and in informal situations, with the different subjects involved. The technique of observation was employed as well.The following techniques of analysis were employed among others:- Depuration and preliminary analysis of the data previously codified, through descriptive statistics, with the purpose to avoiding and correcting mistakes in the subsequent specific analyses.- Descriptive statistical study of the variables used to characterize the samples of the groups participating in the research, as well as to compare possible differences between state and subsidized schools. For that analysis, contingency tables and chi-square are used.- Analysis of differences among variables employed for the comparison and description of the training that was carried out. In this case the contrast of means (employing as statistics the Student's t-test, after to Levene test for the equality of variances), the standard deviations and some specific correlations will be used.- Classification of the answers provided by the informal interviews in an attempt to carry out a rigorous analytical process (with the help of Excel) that allows to codify some categories that can be compared among themselves, in order to clarify those aspects that are shown as little stable, doubtful or contradictory in the questionnaires.Final conclusionsAlthough there will always be aspects that can be improved in the training of pupils from Technical-Indusrial specialities in Vocational Studies (FP), this research has found the following ones specially relevant:- The evaluation carried out by the different informants involved in the development of practices of the FCT module is positive.- The length of the period of practices is considered, in general, sufficient.- The information that pupils, teachers and tutors at the enterprise have about the module of practices of FCT is sufficient.- The didactic methodology employed and the procedure of evaluation of the FCT module seem to be adequate.- The training programme of FCT is completed according to the pupils, teachers and tutors at the enterprise (although there may be deviations in some cases).- The degree of participation of the pupils and tutors at the enterprise in the elaboration of the training programme of practices of FCT is rather scarce or almost null.- The scarce implication of the social agents (trade unions and The Chamber of Commerce and Industry) in the modules of practices of FCT, according to the opinions of teachers and tutors at the enterprise.- Practically all the informants consider an experience like the one developed with this FCT module advisable, since it offers more possibilities in the work field when it is finished.Future lines of researchAs we can gather from all the information obtained, there are still open lines for future researchs. Some of them are proposed bellow:- Research of the characteristics of the job offer and the different needs for Specific Professional Training (FPE) in the industrial and other sectors.- Analysis of the observance of the 'Pact for the Education' in Aragón, whose actions will finish in the year 2006, as far as FP is concerned.- Study of the cooperation school-enterprise for the technological and socio-technical updating of the FP teachers.- A comparative study between the FCT developed in our country and the equivalent one that is carries out in the countries of the EU.- Investigation of the relationships that are stablished among the pupils and the teachers, the pupils and the tutors at the enterprise, and/or the teachers with the tutors at the enterprise within the FCT module.- Longitudinal analysis of the pupils that are incorporated to the labor market, once the FCT module is finished.- Study in depth the implication of the FOL (Training and Labor Orientation) teachers in the FCT at present.- Elaboration of a strategic plan for the improvement of the FCT, considering the results and conclusions offered by this doctoral thesis.- Research into the importance of the professional competences, values and attitudes of the pupils in the development of the FCT module.It is to be expected that some further actions of research, such as those indicated, can be undertaken in the near future.
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