York pioneers Russian technology teaching
Posted on 27 May 1997
The University is collaborating with a number of local education authorities and universities in Russia to develop design and technology teaching in a way which promotes creativity. The University has set up pilot projects in St Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Nizhniy Novgorod. This week a programme begins in the Ukraine. As well as training teachers and lecturers, the project involves writing a teachers' handbook and classroom materials, and the drafting of a national curriculum.
It is a big project with big ideas, but it is being achieved on a shoestring. "The teachers are receiving free accommodation from people in York," says James Pitt. "Not only that, but much of our food and entertainment is being donated. A local firm is donating fish and chips for one meal, two local breweries are helping out, York Opera is putting on a Gilbert and Sullivan concert, and a Methodist church in London is putting up 15 of the party for one night in London."
Russian education policy has changed dramatically in the last few years. The old system in which a child's education was meant to benefit the state has turned full circle and the new policy is to provide education for the benefit of the individual. "They want to prepare children to be capable people," says James Pitt, Visiting Fellow in the Department of Educational Studies. "This approach fits in particularly well with developments in York in the teaching of design and technology."
Despite high level support, the project lacks funding. "The project is hampered by the emphasis given to funding social sciences and commercial ventures, which means that British 'Know How' funds go to those areas," says James Pitt. "The British Council are supportive, as are senior politicians of all parties."
The next stages of the project involve drafting the curriculum order, running courses for university staff in Russia and beginning an internet project.