THE CHANGING RELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN DUTCH SECONDARY-EDUCATION

In 1993 a new subject, Technology, was introduced in all Dutch junior secondary schools. The results of an implementation study (part of the OECD/SMTE case studies project) are described in the first part of th e paper. Technology classes in three case-study schools are characteri zed and pupils' attitudes towards technology described. Pre-vocational schools emphasized practical activities more than other types of seco ndary schools. Introducing technology imposed a heavy teaching load an d there were, as vet, no satisfactory textbooks. Little co-operation w ith other subjects had been achieved. The second part of the paper ela borates on the problems in the co-operation between science and techno logy teachers. Some recommendations for improved co-operation are offe red.