Understanding Learning (6cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

Studies are implemented as online studies and are based on independent work with materials and learning tasks. Studies include three webinar meetings:

- start-up webinar on Tue 27.1.2026 at 15 - 17
- guidance webinar on Thu 19.2.2026 at 15 - 16
- guidance webinar on Thu 9.4.2026 at 15 - 16

You will familiarise yourself with the study unit and its contents in the start-up webinar. This webinar will be recorded. In guidance webinars, you have the opportunity to receive peer comments from other students and guidance from teachers. Guidance webinars are not recorded. Otherwise you can follow your own schedule with the studies.

Note! We recommend that you start your educational studies by starting with the Understanding Learning and then moving on to The Future of Education studies.

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.

Materials

- Lehtinen, E., Vauras, M. & Lerkkanen, M-K. 2016. Kasvatuspsykologia. PS-Kustannus. Available as an e-book
OR
- Rinne, R, Kivirauma, J. & Lehtinen, E. 2015. Johdatus kasvatustieteisiin. PS-kustannus. Available as an e-book

- Nivala E. & Saastamoinen M. (toim.). 2010. Nuorisokasvatuksen teoria. Perusteita ja puheenvuoroja (2. painos). Available as an e-book
- Kallio, E. K. 2020. Development of Adult Thinking. Interdisciplinary perspectives on cognitive development and adult learning. Routledge.
- Hakala, J.T. & Kiviniemi, K. 2018. Vuorovaikutuksen säröjä ja jännitteitä. Aikuiskasvatuksen pedagogiikan haasteiden äärellä. Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius. Luokanopettajien 25-vuotis aikuiskoulutuksen juhlajulkaisu. Verkossa: https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/48383/978-951-39-5376-8.pdf?sequence=1
- Kallio, E. Ajattelun kehitys aikuisuudessa - kohti moninäkökulmaisuutta. Available as an e-book. https://www.ellibslibrary.com/book/978-952-5401-73-8.

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

Teaching methods

Open UAS students and Master's Degree education students: 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: a start-up webinar and two peer-to-peer guidance webinars. 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

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.

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.