Competence-oriented instruction in vocational education in Austria: An empirical comparison between two instructional approaches
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Peter Slepcevic-Zach
Department of Business Education and Development University of Graz, Austria Sigrid Wimmer Department of Psychology, Educational Unit University of Graz, Austria Michaela Stock Department of Business Education and Development University of Graz, Austria Manuela Paechter Department of Psychology, Educational Unit University of Graz, Austria Corresponding Author: Peter Slepcevic-Zach, peter.slepcevic@uni-graz.at |
Abstract
A distinct feature of the Austrian education system is its differentiation of programs in vocational education. Among these programs, the dual education system has a long tradition: Students undergo an apprenticeship in a company while also attending a vocational school in part-time. More than other forms of education, this combination of on-the-job training at the work place and instruction in vocational school requires constant adaptation to economic requirements.
Against this background, a new instructional approach, so called areas of learning with a focus on competence were introduced in the vocational school Eisenstadt in the year 2010. The introduction of this approach offered an opportunity for comparing it with a “traditional” subject-oriented approach. Results of the comparison will be presented and discussed in this article.
Keywords: competence-oriented instruction, vocational education, instructional approaches, apprenticeship, on-the-job training
A distinct feature of the Austrian education system is its differentiation of programs in vocational education. Among these programs, the dual education system has a long tradition: Students undergo an apprenticeship in a company while also attending a vocational school in part-time. More than other forms of education, this combination of on-the-job training at the work place and instruction in vocational school requires constant adaptation to economic requirements.
Against this background, a new instructional approach, so called areas of learning with a focus on competence were introduced in the vocational school Eisenstadt in the year 2010. The introduction of this approach offered an opportunity for comparing it with a “traditional” subject-oriented approach. Results of the comparison will be presented and discussed in this article.
Keywords: competence-oriented instruction, vocational education, instructional approaches, apprenticeship, on-the-job training
Preferred Citation:
Slepcevic-Zach, P., Wimmer, S., Stock, M. and Paechter, M. (2015). Competence-oriented instructions in vocational education in Austria: An empirical comparison between two instructional approaches. International Journal for Business Education, 155, 8 - 19.
Slepcevic-Zach, P., Wimmer, S., Stock, M. and Paechter, M. (2015). Competence-oriented instructions in vocational education in Austria: An empirical comparison between two instructional approaches. International Journal for Business Education, 155, 8 - 19.
