The aim of this study was to establish the differences
in perception of competence in processes practised in
Home Economics education as expressed by students of
Home Economics and those who have not studied Home
Economics.
The research method consisted of applying a
questionnaire to five hundred senior students enrolled
in high schools in Brisbane, Queensland. The survey
items were designed to test students perception and
source of competence and the value they place on Home
Economics knowledge expressed in terms of life skills.
To augment the study, teachers of Home Economics were
surveyed to establish the emphasis they place on
processes during teaching, their perception of sources
of students' skills and the value they place on life
skills taught during Home Economics classes.
The questions focused upon management and design skills
and interpersonal interaction competence.
Results indicated that students of Home Economics
perceived an enhanced level of competence in life skills
at all stages of the design and management processes.
Home Economics students also perceived competence in
practices of caring and a significant number of
behaviours implicit in interpersonal interaction when
compared with non Home Economics students.
Students of Home Economics perceived the school, the
home and their friends as positive sources for skill
development in management, design and interpersonal
interaction. Non Home Economics perceived the home as
the only resource for management skills, but they do not
perceive school, home or friends as resources for
acquiring design skills. However, they target the
school, their friends and home as sources for interpersonal
skill development.
Teachers of Home Economics perceived the school, home
and student's friends as a source of management and
interpersonal skills but responded negatively to the
home as a source of design skills.
Home Economics students, non Home Economics students and
teachers of Home Economics placed a high value on Home
Economics knowledge expressed as life skills.
This study provides useful insights for curriculum
design in Home Economics education.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218911 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Eiby, Patricia J., n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Patricia J. Eiby |
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