University of Helsinki, Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Guidance Tea Seppälä 22.10.2012 / 26.10.2012 1
University of Helsinki in brief Established in Turku 1640, moved to Helsinki 1828 Main tasks: research, teaching and societal interaction Bilingual (Finnish and Swedish), tuition also provided in English 11 faculties 35,000 degree students, 30,000 continuing education and Open University students. 8,160 employees, including 3,930 researchers and teachers. Budget 2010: EUR 644 million Operates on four campuses in Helsinki and 17 other locations throughout Finland Aims to consolidate its position among the best multidisciplinary research universities in the world The University of Helsinki was ranked the best Finnish university on the Shanghai (73 nd ) Jiao Tong academic rankings of world universities. Others ranked among the 300-400 category.
Our mission Palmenia is an independent institute of the University of Helsinki that implements the University s community relations policy. We promote the competence, wellbeing and success of both our customers and the regions in which we operate, as well as sustainable development and interaction between society and academia. We meet our customers (individuals, companies and public organisations) training and development needs through adult education, applied research and other development services based on scientific research and academic expertise. We collaborate closely with the faculties and departments of the University of Helsinki, as well as with other adult education institutions. Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education 26.10.2012 3
Focus areas Administration and finances Communications Cultural diversity and languages Culture and art Education and teaching Food industry and agriculture Law Natural and environmental sciences Organisational and personnel development Pharmacy Social and health care Web-based teaching and learning Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education 26.10.2012 4
Our expert services Adult education Open continuing education Customised training Professional qualification programmes Preparatory training for degree studies Research and development Commissioned research projects for client organisations Regional development projects International projects Applied research Evaluation and consultation Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education 26.10.2012 5
Key figures 2011 11,500 adult students 460 training programmes 75 national research and development projects 20 international research and development projects 170 staff members Turnover EUR 13,5 million Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education 26.10.2012 6
The role of continuing education Third core duty of the University mentioned in the Strategic Plan of the University of Helsinki 1. Research and researcher education 2. Teaching and studies: learning new knowledge 3. Societal interaction: mutual partnership and engageing in social debate, also by disseminating the newest information through continuing education 7
Continuing Education for teachers Participation in in-service training 80 % Bases on individual continuing professional development plan Obstackles for participation: long geographical distances Weak financial situation of municipalities to finance the substitutes
Providers of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Government-financed staff development training: Training offered by the state is free of charge to the teaching staff. Educational organizations are invited to tender for the contract. The state-funded CPD is carried out by universities continuing education centres, municipalities, private education companies, rectors and teachers' organizations. 9
Teachers in-service training - Objectives Teachers may have graduated several years ago => Updating of ones knowledge in the command of the subject and in didactics basing on evaluative and developmental hold on his/her work and individual CPD-plan Three days of each school year must be devoted to continuing education. Ca. 6,3 working days/year/teacher have been devoted to in-service training The starting point is one s own motivation for professional development Programmes must benefit both individuals and his/her whole work community
Examples of continuing education I Short (6-8 ecr) and long-term (25-60 ecr) courses and projects in cooperation with all faculties which educate teachers, especially Department of Teacher Education. Swedish-language professional development Early and preschool pedagogy. Various subjects (languages and science) and their didactics Special education (behavioral disorders, diagnostic learning disabilities etc) Education which increases the qualifications of teaching staff with immigrant background; strengthening of (official) language skills (Finnish and/or Swedish) Intercultural education and communication at school ICT (pedagogical use of ICT, ICT as learning environment, and use of social media in learning)
Examples of continuing education II Workplace counselling Qualifying study programmes work supervisors Work supervising courses for psychotherapists Quality assurance in the higher education In service training for principals: Pedagogical leadership Mentoring training for principals Benchlearning workshops for principals in Finland and Sweden
Structure of a study programme (6 crs = 6 months) The emphasis of theory and practice focuses on daily school life related situations and case studies. All programmes are learning processes 2 days in-class learning at the University) every month, Lectures and reflective workshops, groupwork, (collaborative learning) Between the in-class meetings: Both individual reflection and group work in a web based learning environment A learning diary (=Journal for professional growth/development and self assesment) Literature
Structure of a CPD programme The training will include development projects, methods applied to one s own work. The project ( in practical and written form), combines the theory and practice which benefits both the student and the work environment and will be evaluated by the involved specialists of the UH. The sharing of experiences between participants will be of key importance. The objective is to have more and more people participate from the same school. 14
Examples of Teacher TV training Different learners Learners share their love of learning, but have different needs. The Different learners course provides information and support that aid in understanding differences and in utilising each learner s strengths. Putting your personality on the line What can teachers do about unwanted behaviour? How should teachers react to comments about their personal appearance from pupils? How can teachers control their emotions in daily school life? Intercultural encounters are increasingly common in schools. What knowledge and skills do teachers need today? How can they turn multiculturalism into a resource? 15
Quality control in continuing education Teaching evaluation matrix: https://portal- 10.it.helsinki.fi/download/2000000046940/Evaluation%20 Matrix_080107.pdf. Internal quality control by the University of Helsinki => Quality Units. Qualified teaching staff and human resource development Individual feedback by post-study programme questionnaires - Group interviews focusing on learning and adaptation to practice - Efficiency after studies, change in one s own work - What is the qualitative change /improvement in teachers work? External audits: The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) audits the quality assurance systems of higher education institutions www.kka.fi/english/ FINHEEC's Audit Manual for 2005 2007 16
Where did Palmenia s name come from? Chancellor Ernst Philip Palmén (1916 1991) was an open-minded university man and a sparkling personality. Palmén worked as - Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics 1960 1969, - University Vice Rector 1971 1973, - Rector 1973 1978 and - Chancellor 1978 1983.