Opinto-opas

Kuvaus

Level of qualification: post-graduate pedagogical studies leading to teacher's pedagogical qualification.

Professional teacher education is for teachers and future teachers of universities of applied sciences and vocational institutes. It offers the pedagogical qualifications required for vocational
education as well as for general education (Decree on Teachers' Qualifications 14.12.1998/986).

The core process of teacher education is working on one’s identity. Professional teacher education is based on recent research in educational science and applies the principles of participatory pedagogy and authentic learning, and methods of exploratory learning. Participatory pedagogy supports identity building through the whole process. The core competency areas are:
- evaluation competency
- teaching and facilitation competency
- well-being competency
- partnership competency
- cultural competency.

After the studies, you will be qualified to work as a teacher in vocational institutions and universities of applied sciences. You can also teach in other institutions depending on your own education and work experience. The studies will give you useful skills in various education-related fields such as education export, HR or coaching.

The professional teacher education programme taught in English is for professionals who wish to teach in English and/or who are not proficient in the Finnish language. The extent of the studies is 60 credits. You can study alongside work and complete your studies in 1.5 years (on average).

Osaamistavoitteet

Professional teacher education (60 credits) comprises six modules, which are further divided into courses. It also includes elective pedagogical studies. Apart from Module A, each module has both theory and practice. Teacher practice focuses on different aspects of a teacher’s work: learning environments and networking (Module B), teaching and facilitation (Modules C & D). Online facilitation practice is embedded in Module E. Field survey and development project are practical applications in Module F.


Module A: Basic Studies in Education
Teacher students know the key concepts in education science and relevant research and can analyze the phenomena they encounter in their field and their work as teachers. They can evaluate the education and school systems in society and position themselves as participants in educational development.

Module B: Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century
Teacher students can evaluate various learning and operation environments through theoretical concepts. They can analyze how an operating culture impacts on teaching and learning and reflect on their own conceptions of knowledge and learning and have a holistic understanding of students.

Module C: Inspiring Teaching and Learning
Teacher students can apply their knowledge of learning theories, student-centered approach and competence-based assessment to their own teaching. They can plan their teaching according to the principles of constructively aligned design and reflect on their work and development of their teacher identity.

Module D: Contemporary Pedagogical Models
Teacher students can compare and contrast various pedagogical models and evaluate their suitability to their own field of education,
They can evaluate how changes in the world of work impact teaching and learning and the role of a teacher.

Module E: Teaching Online and Building Collaborative Learning Communities
Teacher students can create collaborative online learning environments and facilitate online and blended learning. They can apply and evaluate online tools available from a pedagogical viewpoint.

Module F: Diversity, Legislation and Development Project
Teacher students develop new pedagogical solutions within their own work environments. They can analyze and develop the school practices from the viewpoint of diversity of students and know the main legislation on education.

Opetussuunnitelman kehittäminen ja työelämäyhteistyö

The Advisory Board of TAMK with several members representing different industries in the region guides the curriculum development work.

The curriculum was also advised by Higher Education Development Projects launched by the Ministry of Education and Culture, most recently OPEKE and "Parasta osaamista", to support the reform of Professional Teacher Education and Vocational Education respectively,

School of Professional Teacher Education has close relations to the educational institutions that provide vocational education, not only through our teacher students but also because of the network of instructing teachers representing various vocational education institutions.

Lisätiedot

Students work individually and in small groups on their contact days, in other small group meetings and online. A part of the independent studies take place in authentic environments in various educational institutions in the form of teaching and facilitation and small-scale field surveys.