What is the meaning of handicraft in the Swedish school subject sloyd? Teachers’ perceptions of content and teaching methods in relation to the syllabus Åsa Jeansson (Umeå University)
In Sweden we have a new curriculum since 2011, with new syllabuses for all compulsory subjects in primary school. In this study, 13 teachers in textile sloyd was interviewed about how they relate to this syllabus, in relation to their own experiences and perceptions regarding the subject content and purpose. They describe how they through their teaching and individualization, handle requirements on students' documentation and reflection on the work process, related to their work with handicraft. The teaching is nowadays based on the knowledge requirements and the purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of how the work with handicraft finds or retains its place in the subject sloyd. There is an old approach to the school subject sloyd as a "doing" activity, which needs to be problematized, not removed. The subject sloyd has changed and teachers' own voices gives knowledge of the implementation of this.