Post date: Feb 18, 2014 8:04:59 AM
Curriculum, to me, is the sum total of all the experiences (planned and written or accidental and unwritten) a learner encounters in the cause of schooling which results to positive change in behaviour and which the school accepts responsibility for.
To my mind, individuals trained as electrical technologists should be able to exhibit competence/expertise in the theory and principles of electrical installation as well as be able to plan, estimate and execute common electrical installation projects both at the domestic and industrial levels. They should be able to make, read and interpret electrical working drawings as well as read and interpret building drawings. Individuals trained under this area of specialization should be able to work with and carry out maintenance on common electrical equipment for both domestic and industrial use. They should above all be able to exhibit safe working habits in all working environments at all times.
For a person to seen as a qualified electrical person he/she must possess skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved.
Experiences that an individual training as an electrical technologist should be exposed to in order for the person to be capable of performing as mentioned in (2) above include,
a) Safety training: the person be exposed to training to understand specific hazards associated with electrical energy; be exposed to safety work practices; be trained to identify and understand the relationship between electrical hazards and possible injury.
b) Basic principles and theories of electrical installations and electronics in addition to general education.
c) General technical drawing.
d) General materials technology.
e) Building drawing/symbols.
f) Electrical/Electronics symbols.
g) Electrical installation working drawing (Blueprint).
h) General principles /operation of electrical machines: Generators and Motors.
i) Maintenance of electrical machines.
j) Domestic installations: Project construction and repairs.
k) Industrial installation works: Project construction and repairs.
l) Troubleshooting/testing of electrical installations as well as repair works.
m) Codes of practice and standards/requirements.
Challenges affecting curriculum planning in vocational and technical education include,
i. Social instability: In planning a curriculum, many crucial questions need about the society to be answered but such answers can only be found when there is stability in the society.
ii. Conflicting ideologies/interests of the parties involved.
iii. Economic problems.
iv. Political interference: Every person coming into power brings with him his vested interests and educational plans for the society.
v. Paucity of information and materials.