Technological literacy, reflection and forms of practice in professional education

Towards a context-dependent technological literacy

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study of University College students’ understanding of technology in relation to their profession. It is the aim to shed light on the context-dependency of technology and practice and its significance in various bachelor programmes at UCN University College. Furthermore, we investigate how students evaluate technology concerning their professional development. The empirical basis of the article is 35 interviews with students from ten undergraduate programs.

The study contributes with insights and knowledge about how the position of technology in the various professional educations becomes a catalyst for the students' reflection in, about and with technology in the diverse practices of the programmes. The study investigates the different technologies the students use during at the University College and in internships/placements, and what significance technology may have for the student's professional identity development.

The study is prompted by the fact that the private businesses, industry, counties, and municipalities are increasingly focused on how the working life of future generations may be supported by various forms of technology and digitalization. This is supported by the Ministry of Education and Research, which through recent education revisions has focused on including technology, also education, health and welfare technology, in the curricula. However, the various programmes, syllabuses and curricula only sparingly describe what competencies the students should have concerning technology.

The purpose is thus to gain a greater knowledge of, and insight into, the significance of technology for the student's professional development and professional identity formation to be able to target the students' competencies to a working life with technology in the future.

The study suggests that the students’ understanding of technology in a specific practice is important for creating good conditions for the students' reflection in, above and with practice. Just as the context-dependent understanding of technology can help develop a professional identity.