Exploring the technology teacher shortage in New Zealand: the implications for quality teaching and learning

The teacher recruitment crisis: examining influential recruitment factors from a United States technology and engineering teacher preparation program

“…Safely maintaining a hands-on design and fabrication focus that differentiates T&E education from other content areas was a concern raised in previous recruitment studies (DATTA Australia, 2019;Reinsfield & Lee, 2021;Volk, 2019). Similar to Gray and Daugherty (2004), this study supports those concerns, indicating that a highly influential characteristic attracting students to the profession is its resemblance to hands-on hobbies that they enjoy.…”

“…The shortage of finding qualified applicants was compounded by the projection that 26% of the teachers were expected to leave the profession due to retirement and stress. Similar to Reinsfield and Lee's (2021) research, the DATTA Australia study also found the teacher shortage was hindering the quality of TE instruction and course offerings. Approximately 42% of the teachers entered the profession from an industry or professional background, and 84% of the schools were currently using unqualified teachers from other content areas to teach TE courses required by National and State curriculum authorities.…”

“…Similar to Gray and Daugherty (2004), this study supports those concerns, indicating that a highly influential characteristic attracting students to the profession is its resemblance to hands-on hobbies that they enjoy. This is a difficult challenge to address as it is fueled by the shortage of highly-qualified T&E teachers (DATTA Australia, 2019;Ernst & Williams, 2015;House of Commons Education Committee, 2017;Long & Danechi, 2021;Love, 2015;Reinsfield & Lee, 2021;Volk, 2019), resulting in unqualified instructors teaching T&E courses which poses serious health and safety risks, and has also been shown to shift courses toward more of a theory based focused as opposed to handson (Reinsfield & Lee, 2021;Volk, 2019). Recruitment and retention of students into T&E teacher preparation programs is critical to preparing highly qualified T&E educators to safely maintain the hands-on focus that attracts students to the profession.…”

“…The T&E teacher shortage crisis is not limited to the US unfortunately. Reinsfield and Lee (2021) highlighted that there are technology education (TE) teacher shortages in some European countries, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. They compared the TE teacher shortage in New Zealand as similar to that presented by Love et al (2016) in the US.…”

Investigating the digital skills of undergraduate students in terms of various variables

“…The skills that teachers who will give digital literacy education should have and the digital skills that they should have as a requirement of the teaching profession are at different levels. & Lee, 2021). In order for the courses aimed at providing students with digital skills to be effective, these courses should be given by teachers who are experts in teaching digital skills.…”