engleski

Mathematics and informatics in extracurricular activities by choices of students and offer of their teachers

After having approved integrated undergraduate and graduate five-year university studies in 2005 and 2006, Croatia expects the first coordination and renewal of class teacher studies curricula. We have carried out research wishing to define learning outcomes for class teacher students in accordance with children’ s interests in primary education and labour market demands, with special emphasis on extracurricular activities concerning the field of mathematics – informatics. The article describes results of the research carried out in December 2008 in six primary schools in Osijek, in which 107 four-grade pupils and their 21 teachers were involved. The aim of the research was to determine to what extent the teachers’ offer is in accordance with pupils’ choice of extracurricular activities in four fields: language and art, physical education, science and ecology, and mathematics and informatics, the first two fields belonging to social sciences and the last two to natural sciences. The article also analyses the number of students in Croatia enrolled in social and natural sciences studies in academic year 2008/09 and relates it to the lack of experts on the labour market having knowledge and skills in mathematics and informatics. The research results have helped the authors become more confident about defining the mathematics and informatics learning outcomes for class teacher students. The authors are likely to encourage school education authorities, school boards, and teachers to direct pupils’ interests towards those types of knowledge and skills, which are in demand on the labour market.

extracurricular activities, primary school, students learning outcomes, work market

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