Pedagogical Education for University Teachers in Finland

In: Moscow University Economics Bulletin, Band 2014, Heft 5, S. 102-113

Abstract

The world of work and occupations are changing rapidly as globalisation and digitalisation make headway. Today the occupation and its necessary competence requirements stopped being acquired once and forever. Modern professions become dynamic, should constantly reinvent themselves and be maintained by upgrading the competence. Consequently, the pedagogical competence of HEI teachers must also meet the new requirements, and the teachers should continuously widen the scope of their interests. Professional teacher training in Finland is internationally acknowledged thanks to high professionalism of instructors and due to the fact that training is based on research. The article analyses the scientific foundation of professional teacher training in Finland, its implementation and relationship with the changing world of work drawing on the example of the curriculum of HAMK University of Applied Sciences. The analysis of the curriculum shows that pedagogical studies for in-work learners meet the requirement of dynamism. They require involvement and active participation of the learners in the teaching process and its implementation receives positive student feedback.. The curriculum focuses on developing the teacher's work and provides an idealistic view on what it is to work as a teacher. A strive for continuous professional growth stems from pedagogical competence.