Teaching as a profession (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

Purpose of the course:
The purpose of the course is to give you an overview of working as a teacher and for you to consciously begin developing your professional identity as a music pedagogue. Throughout this course, you will use source materials and joint reflections to develop your own understanding of what the work of a music pedagogue will look like in the future. The course will also familiarise you with the study methods and digital learning environments used in your pedagogical studies.

Course competencies:
Learning and information management
Ethics
Pedagogy
Digital pedagogy
Team work and communication

Course learning objective:
By the end of the course, you will be able to thoroughly examine working as a teacher and the future of the profession, especially in the field of music. You will be able to develop your own reasoned and conscious understanding of the teaching profession and your professional identity and understand the ethical and entrepreneurial aspects of working as a teacher. The aim is for you to be able to follow the content, pedagogical discussion, and development work in your field of teaching. You will be able to use digital learning environments, both as a student and as a teacher.

Content

Pedagogical thinking and professional growth as a teacher
The values and ethical principles guiding work as a teacher
Professional identity as a teacher
The regulations and norms guiding work as a teacher
Teaching and entrepreneurship
Future competences in the teaching profession
Online learning environments and platforms

Materials

Opetushallitus. Viitattu 14.4.2020. https://www.oph.fi/fi
Stenberg, K. 2011. Riittävän hyvä opettaja. Jyväskylä: PS-kustannus.
Suomen itsenäisyyden juhlarahasto Sitra. Viitattu 14.4.2020. https://www.sitra.fi/

Teaching methods

The course includes classroom teaching, webinars, and distance work – both individually and in small groups. During the course, you will work collaboratively on learning assignments related to the future of music pedagogy. The purpose of the learning assignments is for you to develop your own professional identity. You must prepare for the classroom teaching days by familiarising yourself with the source materials provided. The content will be covered through group discussion and peer learning.

Exam schedules

Instead of completing an exam, you will demonstrate your competence by completing the course’s learning assignments in accordance with the schedule approved during the course.

Completion alternatives

You can apply for a course credit transfer in the following circumstances:
1. if you have previously completed basic studies in education, adult education or vocational education with a pass grade (25 cr/15 ECTS)

2. if you have completed a course in music education at the University of Jyväskylä with similar objectives and scope

3. if you have previously completed the same course at another university of applied sciences.

Student workload

The course consists of:
35 hours of classroom teaching and webinars
50 hours of group work for the learning assignments
50 hours of independent study

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to find and interpret empirical data and research literature on working as a teacher to support their professional identity.
The student has knowledge of different visions of the future of working as a music pedagogue.
The student is able to interact and communicate with others in a positive manner.
The student makes use of digital learning environments to support their studies.
The student understands the opportunities that new technologies will open up for music pedagogues in the future.

Further information

You will give and receive peer feedback at different stages of your work throughout the course. You will complete a self-evaluation at the end of the course. The instructor will provide feedback and make an assessment decision on the basis of the assessment criteria.