An Analysis of Current States and Curriculums of Interior Design Major at Vocational High Schools and Suggestions for Improvement

실업계 고등학교 실내디자인전공 활성화를 위한 교육현장의 실태와 교과내용 분석

The purpose of this study was to analyze the current states of interior design as a major at vocational high schools and to suggest ways in which it can be improved. Three hundred and four students and twelve teachers of two vocational high schools comprised the sample population for this study. Data was collected using two methods, questionnaires and interviews. Frequency distribution, mean, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study are as follows: The student respondents were more interested in studying residential design, furniture design and making, drafting and perspective drawing than other areas of study. Most teachers had difficulties teaching the subject of residential design because they were not well educated with this area. Surprisingly most students hoped to extend their education to a university or college after graduation, not to enter the workforce. According to teachers'responses, almost ninety percentage of students entered university or college. And more than two thirds of the students desired to study an interior design related major at the university level. Among graduates having jobs, half of them were working in interior design fields. If the students had to choose their jobs, they would work in interior design fields. The variables differentiating several related careers after graduation were school, grade, and sex. The students viewed interior design, interior coordination, and CAD related work as fields likely to enter upon graduating from vocational high schools; however, teachers viewed furniture making, interior accessorizing, and home fashion as fields more appropriate to the students'level of training. The teacher respondents criticized the textbooks in four categories; suitability with the students'level was average or below average; students'interest level and students'understanding level were average or above average; and whether the book was easy or difficult to be utilized for the purposes of teaching was also average or above average. The criticism was a little diverse depending on each book or each chapter. The teachers pointed out several problems using those books, such as insufficient examples or explanation, lack of coherence between some chapters, and an incompatibility with the allotted time frame in class. The merits of the textbooks varied such as a well organized structure, ability to generate students'interest. This study revealed that the strategy for improving the interior design major at vocational high schools should invoke, 1) dividing students into two groups-one to enter a university; the other to have jobs after graduation to focus their interests. 2) improving textbooks more appropriate to the students. 3) providing present teachers the opportunities for in-service training and hiring new teachers with credentials more suitable to educate students who desire to be interior designers.