Curricula

Objectives

The purpose of the study unit

During the Facilitating Learning study unit, you will develop your skills in the facilitation of learning by planning, implementing and evaluating a study unit that best promotes your pedagogical competence. You will recognize your own theory-in-use in the facilitation of learning and apply it in your activities. You will learn how to facilitate learning in different learning environments with diverse learners.

Study unit competences

In this study unit, you will promote and develop your professional pedagogical skills, interpersonal skills, skills and knowledge in facilitating learning processes.

The objective for professional pedagogical skills is to learn the theoretical, ethical and philosophical foundations for vocational learning. You will be able to act in different vocational learning facilitation situations in accordance with the set learning objectives and the documents defining the teaching. You will also be able to analyze and justify your own activities in the facilitation of learning.

The objective for interpersonal skills is that you can consider diverse learners and their personal goals when planning and carrying out learning sessions and when guiding and evaluating learning. You are able to act constructively and encounter learners in a manner that is ethically justified and that supports equality in different interaction situations.

The objective for skills and knowledge in facilitating learning processes is that you are able to plan and implement meaningful learning processes that develop the objectives set for different learning processes. You understand phenomena occurring in a group and you are able to provide support for team building. You are able to facilitate and evaluate students' learning in appropriate ways in different situations while utilising digitality in a pedagogically justified manner.

Learning objectives

You are able to plan and implement meaningful learning processes in accordance with the objectives set for the learning and the documents defining the teaching.  You can facilitate and evaluate students' learning in different situations while utilising digitality in a pedagogically justified manner. You are able to give instructional feedback for both your guidees and your peers. You are able to consider diverse learners and their personal goals, act constructively and in a manner that is ethically justified and that promotes equality. You are also able analyze and justify your facilitation activities and realistically evaluate your own learning and competence.

Content

Planning, implementing and evaluating a study unit and a learning process. Different environments for vocational learning (physical, psycho-social, pedagogical, technological). The diversity of learners. Online guidance. Peer review of student colleagues and assessment of your own competence. Reflecting on one’s own learning and recording self-evaluations in the learning diary and portfolio.

Teaching methods

The familiarisation with vocational and professional learning environments takes place via cooperative learning with your peers or learning circle. In addition to the planning, implementation and evaluation of learning process, you will observe your peers practical training sessions and participate in feedback discussions. The members of the learning circle group act as peer instructors by supporting the planning and implementation phases. You will collect evaluation material for your portfolio to support the summative self-assessment throughout the study unit.

The study unit is offered in hybrid and online learning environments for which attendance is required. The mode of study is based on designing and analysing authentic facilitation of learning situations. The study unit includes peer analysis, self-assessment and pedagogical reflection activities through digital applications and competence analysis discussion with the teacher educator.

Practical training and working life connections

This study unit includes practical training that is a part of teacher education. Those students who already work as teachers, will implement practical training at their own teaching context, and the others in an environment that is relevant to achieve the objectives set for the teacher education studies.

Student workload

In total, the study unit is 14 credits and it consists of 378 hours (14 x 27h) of students’ work: reading and familiarising yourself with different types of materials, getting acquainted with the operating environments of teachers, planning, implementing and evaluating teaching both individually and together with your learning circle and peers. The scope of the planned, implemented and evaluated study unit varies based on the student’s previous competence, but on average, it is approximately 3–5 ECTS credits in upper secondary education and approximately five ECTS credits in higher education.

Teaching practice includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of at least one online guidance session. Also, one face-to-face guidance or teaching session must be videotaped.

Content scheduling

The Facilitating Learning study unit begins immediately at the beginning of your studies and lasts for the whole duration your studies. You will be familiarised with the contents of the study unit during the joint tutoring days, through independent study and with your learning circle.

Further information for students

The assessment is guiding, qualitative and is based on learning objectives. The methods for assessing the learning process include different types of feedback (including self-assessments, peer and mentor teacher assessments), and assessment discussions with the teacher educator.

Competence assessment is criteria based and the teacher educator makes the assessment decision once all the learning activities have been completed. The assessment material consists of the learning activities of the study unit and self-assessment activities, observations and assessment discussions related to learning facilitation situations.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Evaluation criteria, pass/failed

The criteria for assessing the approved level are as follows:

Professional pedagogical skills and knowledge
- your activity is based on professional pedagogical knowledge
- you facilitate learners’ learning in accordance with the requirements of working life and the professional field and the documents defining the teaching
- you are familiar with different environments of vocational learning and you are able to act in those environments in a pedagogically justified manner

Interpersonal skills
- you encounter learners individually and reinforce their agency
- you consider the diverse learners and their personal goals
- act in a manner that is constructive, ethically justified and that supports equality in different interactive situations.

Skills and knowledge in facilitating learning processes
- you are able to justify your own theory-in-use in the facilitation of learning and act accordingly as well as plan and implement pedagogically meaningful learning processes
- you understand the meaning of evaluation in learning and you are able to apply different evaluation methods
- you utilise digitality in your teaching and facilitation in an appropriate manner.