Mathematics as an aspect of vocational knowing in animal caregiving, from a student perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore whether and how students experience mathematics as an aspect of vocational knowing in the Swedish upper secondary Natural Resource Programme, in the orientation of animal care, and in the vocation. Data for the study comprised teacher's documented planning, student interviews, followed by a validation of the interviews. Data were initially analysed thematically. Thereafter, the themes were analysed with theoretical concepts from the theory of practice architectures (sayings, doings, and relatings), and interpreted in terms of characteristic arrangements (cultural-discursive, material-economic, and social-political). Themes identified in the student interviews were: 1) Vocational knowing in animal caregiving 2) Mathematics as vocational knowing 3) Mathematics as part of vocational language, and 4) Mathematics as a foundation subject. Sayings were also related to doings, because of the accessibility and character of data. It was evident that students recognized mathematics as an aspect of vocational knowing, but there was also a tension between this mathematics and for the school/as a foundation subject. Relatings represented the recurrent contexts of school, animal facilities, workplace learning but also laws and regulations for contemporary animal care. Further analysis was made to historical traces of previous education within the area and to political decisions.