Development Project (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The aim of the development project is to demonstrate the competences built during teacher education and to apply them in developing the pedagogical practices of a work community.

Teacher student
- recognises the development needs in their own work and/or their work community and is able to outline a suitable development project
- utilizes and develops their own professional expertise in carrying out
the development project
- makes use of their expertise as teachers in dealing with their study
group as well as with their work community and interest groups
creatively
- maintains a culturally sensitive and working-life oriented approach
- describes and assesses the results and findings of the development project in a logical and coherent manner
in a written report
- assesses the development process, their own research and development skills as well as their own and the study group’s learning.

Content (course unit)

In what situations in teachers’ work can knowledge of legislation be useful?
What are teachers’ responsibilities according to the Finnish law?
What are your most important ethical principles as a teacher?

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Pass: Teacher student
- can use their pedagogical knowledge to identify a development need
- can justify their decisions and choices with references to relevant literature
- reflects their observations, actions and experiences and evaluates their significance to their own competences and knowledge
- participates actively in the group learning process by sharing expertise, searching for information and collaboratively creating knowledge
- analyzes and evaluates their learning results and choices made
- works in an ethical manner
- reports their development work results according to TAMK guidelines

Fail: Teacher student
- describes theoretical knowledge and their development work separately
- discussion is shallow, presents disconnected facts and/or paraphrases literature
- does not participate in the group processes actively and/or has not submitted the learning tasks according to instructions
- is not able to apply theory into practice

Location and time

As per the contact day schedule and according to the plan developed with the commissionaire.

Exam schedules

There are no exams in this course

Assessment methods and criteria

The development project should meet the agreed requirements of the external commissionaire and the assessing teacher. It should be submitted using the TAMK thesis template as it guidelines and using the correct formatting of citations and references.

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

This Development Project is similar to a mini thesis and should, if possible, be to related to a real world, authentic, project. Ideally there will be a commissionaire from a company or educational institution and students will work on the project collaboratively.
Individual and collaborative small group tasks, including readings, assignments, reflection, presentations and lectures, face to face and online, will support the process. Students are expected to reflect upon their learning and be active participants in their own learning.

Learning materials

Students will need to research and investigate a body of literature to support their project.

Student workload

This is a five ECTS course which amounts to approx 135 hours of student work.

Completion alternatives

There are no alternative methods.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Students will link theory with practice for the development of their project. The project will link to the needs of the external commissionaire.
The development of an individual professional identity is a core component of the program. This identity and the beliefs formed and identified about teaching and learning shape the practice of the developing educator.

International connections

Theories and practice examined will take account of a wide range of international perspectives, including those brought to the cohort by the participants themselves.

Assessment criteria - pass/fail (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The development project should meet the agreed requirements of the external commissionaire and the assessing teacher. It should be submitted using the TAMK thesis template as it guidelines and using the correct formatting of citations and references.
It must meet the requirements of EQF Level 7.