| This paper describes common perceptions of the technical college paradigm(s) from a faculty perspective and examines whether current issues are solved by the technical college paradigm(s). A focus group of faculty described the technical college paradigm(s) in terms of the myth, metaphors, exemplars, and anomalies. Faculty described the perceptions of the "technical college" paradigm(s) as providing education for employment in a hands-on, skills oriented, simulated work environment. Students with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds become graduates who get jobs, perform well, advance their careers, and contribute to society.;The faculty developed a list of problems facing technical education. Issues facing the "technical college" in order of importance are financial resources, image, staff development, governance, curriculum, students, and technology updates. The faculty evaluated the utility of the technical college paradigm(s) in solving these issues and provided rationale for their evaluation. When the paradigm(s) solved the problem, the paradigm(s) was reinforced. When it did not, anomalies were created indicating areas where paradigm shifts were likely to occur. According to the faculty, the "technical college" paradigm(s) is more likely to solve the issues facing the technical college in the areas of curriculum, technology, governance, staff development, and image. Student issues are solved as often as not. The paradigm(s) is least effective in solving the issues of financial resources.;Group conferencing software was used to collect and organize the data. The advantages of using the electronic group conferencing system in this type of research were increased participation, confidentiality, participant equality, and decreased time and effort required to collect, organize, and present data. The primary disadvantages were the cost and initial logistics of setting up the software. |
