Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

After completing the course, the teacher student is able to
• describe the operating environments and pedagogical bases of adult and vocational education in Finland
• specify the stages of growth and development related to youth and adulthood and explain their significance for professional development and the formation of a career path
• combine learning in the workplace and continuous learning with the professional growth of students
• identity the development stages of their own specialist identity, and support and guide the formation of students’ professional identity
• use topical data from research and development to support their work as an educator.

Content (course unit)

During the course, we will seek answers to the following questions:
• How does adult and vocational education in Finland support and promote growth and learning?
• What are the special qualities of youth and adulthood in terms of growth, learning and guidance?
• How can working life and the work community support the growth, development and learning of an individual?
• How is professional identity built in various sectors, and how can it be supported?
• What is the best way of following and applying the new trends in your own field and the teaching and pedagogy sector?

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Knowing:
Structuring the relationships between the phenomena and concepts covered during the course. Applying, explaining, comparing, and analysing contents from the viewpoint of a vocational teacher.
Teacher Student:
* Describes adult and vocational education of their own field in the Finnish education system from the viewpoint of continuous learning
* Recognises the significance of growth and development at workplaces

Doing:
Being able to plan and choose suitable methods for their work and justify their choices as a vocational teacher. Applying the theory taught in the course when solving challenges and using the possibilities offered by the theory base in their work.
Teacher Student:
* Applies knowledge of growth and development when guiding and teaching their own future target group (e.g. the youth or adults)
* Analyses the possibilities and challenges of workplace learning
* Comes up with methods to support the growth of a professional identity of their own students.

Developing as a teacher:
Giving and receiving active and constructive feedback. Evaluating issues from their own and their community’s viewpoints. Collaborating responsibly and being ready to develop communication skills. Recognising and following the ethical principles of a teacher’s work. Describing and evaluating the economical and wellbeing promoting impact of their actions
Teacher Student:
* Creates a development plan for their work as a teacher, utilising up-to-date development and research data
* Reflects and constructs their own identity as a teacher

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail