Date of Award

10-1-1989

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Teaching & Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the utilization of microcomputers to teach manufacturing technology in the non-metro secondary schools within the state of Minnesota. To accomplish this purpose, the researcher surveyed secondary manufacturing technology teachers (N = 107) from public non-metro schools in Minnesota which had a population ranging from 300 to 1,500 students.The study was designed to be exploratory in nature, seeking to identify the microcomputer-related competencies of secondary manufacturing technology teachers in the state of Minnesota and the extent to which microcomputer-related activities were taught in the secondary manufacturing technology learning environment. In addition, teacher perceptions of student knowledge relating to contemporary manufacturing practices were also investigated.Data obtained were analyzed and presented in tabular form according to their frequency or as percentages. Regions of the state, educational background of the teachers, years of teaching experience, and school size were considered when presenting the data.It was found that microcomputer-related activities were not practiced extensively by secondary manufacturing technology teachers in the non-metro schools of Minnesota. Few teachers were found to have extensive skills relating to the use of the microcomputer in the classroom. Teachers from the larger non-metro schools and those with an education beyond a Bachelor of Science degree tended to utilize microcomputers to a greater extent in their coursework. Financial barriers and the lack of faculty training were the predominant reasons given as to why microcomputers were not included in the manufacturing technology curricula.Simulation, CNC lathes, and computerized robots were the three systems used most frequently by secondary teachers to teach contemporary manufacturing technology. Knowledge of occupational opportunities which have developed through microcomputer-related manufacturing processes in industry and familiarization with CAM software were perceived by teachers as the most important competencies secondary students should achieve.

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