Understanding Learning (6 cr)
Code: AJ00BN75-3016
General information
Timing
18.09.2023 - 15.03.2024
Number of ECTS credits allocated
6 op
Virtual portion
6 op
Mode of delivery
Online learning
Unit
School of Professional Teacher Education
Campus
Main Campus
Teaching languages
- English
Degree programmes
- School of Professional Teacher Education
Teachers
- Maarit Miettinen
Objective
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.
Oppimateriaali ja suositeltava kirjallisuus
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
Open Studies: You can acquire the competence required in this course by self-directed learning, prescribed reading, online learning webinars and assignments.
During this course collaborative and participatory methods are implemented. The implementation methods deepen your professional competence and the development of your own professional field.
This course includes online guidance. It has has three online webinar meetings: an orientation webinar and two pop-up guidance sessions. Otherwise, the learning assignments are completed and the guidance is implemented online and through independent work.
Student workload
In total, the course consists of 162 hours (6 x 27 h) of students’ work
- Orientation 6 h
- Self-directed learning in online environment, reading the learning materials, completing the learning assignments 146 h
- Peer tutoring and self-assessment 10 h
Content scheduling
Studies include three meetings online:
- orientation webinar on Wed 20.9.2023 at 15 - 16, questions and answers at 16 - 17
- pop-up guidance session on Wed 11.10.2023 at 15 - 16
- pop-up guidance session on Wed 24.1.2024 at 15 - 16
You will familiarise yourself with the study unit and its contents in the orientation webinar. The first part of this webinar will be recorded. In pop-up guidance sessions, you have the opportunity to receive peer comments from other students and guidance from teachers. Pop-up sessions are not recorded.
Note! We recommend that you start your educational studies by starting with the Understanding Adult Learning and then moving on to the Education and Society studies.
Further information
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
Assessment criteria, approved/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.