Curricula

Objectives

The purpose of the study unit

This study units will introduce you to the theoretical, ethical, and philosophical principles for vocational learning. Further, you will become familiar with learning as a phenomenon and with the basic concepts and professional terminology of educational science and vocational pedagogy. You will learn how to use this knowledge to analyse and justify your own pedagogical choices. You will also familiarise yourself with the lifeworld of learners at different stages of life and in different operating environments.

Study unit competences

In this study unit, you will promote and develop your professional pedagogical competence and reflection skills.

Professional pedagogical competence refers to the theoretical, ethical, and philosophical principles for vocational competence and learning. It refers to your ability to act in different learning guidance sessions in accordance with the set learning objectives, and the documents that define teaching. It refers to your ability to analyse and justify your own facilitating learning activities.

Reflection skills refer to your ability to recognise and assess your own pedagogical assumptions, and working methods as a facilitator of learning. It refers also to an ability to assess in realistic way your own learning and competence and ability to set new goals as a facilitator of learning.

Learning objectives

In this study unit, you will understand the opportunities that studies on adult learning and human development have on facilitating learning. You will have the ability to identify and critically assess the basic concepts, values, attitudes, ways of thinking and working methods that influence your own teaching and develop these based on the feedback you receive.

Content

During this course, you will discover the main theories and concepts of learning, as well as, the significance of educational research in teacher's thinking and practices. You will develop theoretical knowledge and understanding related to the facilitating learning. You will also familiarise yourself with the lifeworld of learners at different stages of life and in different contexts.

Time and location

The course starts right at the beginning of your studies and lasts throughout your studies.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Knowles, M.S.; Holton III, E.F. & Swanson, R. A. 2005. THE ADULT LEARNER, The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. London: Elsevier.

Woolfolk, A. (2013). Educational Psychology. 12th ed. Pearson.

Jarvis, P. & Parker, S. (Eds.) 2007. Human learning. An holistic approach. New York: Routledge.

You will find additional learning materials and assignments in the Moodle online learning environment.

Teaching methods

This is an online study unit, which includes self-directed learning, prescribed reading, online learning sessions and assignments.

You will reflect on your own learning based on the goals you set in your personal study plan (PLP) and the feedback you received from peers. You will document your self-evaluation in your learning diary and your portfolio.

You will find additional learning materials and assignments in the Moodle online learning environment.

Alternative completion methods

Acquiring competence

You can acquire the competence required by this course by participating in the online course and completing the learning assignments and reflection tasks.

Previously completed university level studies in Educational Sciences or Adult Education Sciences can be substituted for this course. 

Student workload

In total, the course consists of 162 hours (6 x 27h) of students’ work:
Orientation 6h
Self-directed learning in online environment 10h
Reading the learning materials and analysing educational research papers, completing the learning assignments 146h

Content scheduling

Voit suorittaa tämän opintojakson henkilökohtaisen opiskelusuunnitelmasi mukaisesti milloin tahansa opintojesi aikana.

Further information for students

The assessment is qualitative and is based on learning objectives. The methods for evaluation of the learning process are feedback and self-assessment. Competence assessment is based on criteria and the teacher educator makes the assessment decision once all the learning tasks have been completed. The assessment material consists of the learning tasks of the course and self-assessment tasks.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Evaluation criteria, pass/failed

The criteria for assessing the approved level are as follows:

Professional pedagogical skills and knowledge
- You become familiar with the theoretical, ethical and philosophical foundations for vocational learning.
- You are able to analyse and justify your own facilitating learning activities.

Reflection skills
- You assess your pedagogical principles and working methods as a facilitator of learning
- You assess your own learning and competence realistically and with justification.
- You will set yourself new goals as a facilitator of learning.