Transcript Teacher education in Finland

- In brief
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Class teachers are qualified to teach all
subjects in years 1-6
Class teachers’ basic requirement is a
Master’s degree (300 ECT) majoring in
education sciences (one credit=27 hours of
‘work’)
Subject teachers work with classes 7-9 of
basic education, in upper secondary level
and in vocational education
Subject teachers conclude their Master’s
degree with 300-350 ECTS credits
In addition to studies in major and minor
subjects, subject teacher qualifications
comprise pedagogical studies of at least 60
ECTS credits, including teaching practice.
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Academic disciplines
Research Studies consisting of
methodological studies including a BA
thesis and an MA thesis
Pedagogical studies: obligatory for all
teachers and include teaching practice
Communication, language and ICT studies
A personal study plan
Optional studies
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Every university organizing teacher education has a
teacher training school.
There are 13 teacher training schools, which are
administratively part of the faculties of education.
The quality of supervision in teacher training
schools is considered to be as particularly high.
• The functional connection between teacher training schools,
departments of education and other university departments
• Applying educational and didactic theory and know-how in
practice
• Evaluation of teaching practice and supervision
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Schools’ operations are governed and financed by
the Ministry of Education.
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Theoretical aspects integrate with practice during
the studies at all stages.
In teaching practice there are four participants
whose interaction with each other plays an
important role
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student teacher him/herself
peer student teachers
supervisor from the university (university lecturer)
supervisor at the school where teaching
practice takes place
The aim of the dialogue between these participants
is to help the student teacher
◦ to conceptualize,
◦ to develop ones meta-cognitive skills and
◦ to apply theory in practice.
MA 300 ects
Studies
Bachelor degree
180 ects
Training periods in Teacher Training
School & other schools 25 ects
Practicum I
5 ects
Practicum II 5 ects
Orientation
practice
Minor practice
Practicum III 6 ects Field practice
Master degree
120 ects
Final
9 ects Major practice
Subject studies
Subject
department(s)
240 ects
Major Subjects
180 ects
Minor subjects
25-60 ects
General Studies
Subject teacher
MA 300-350 ects
Educational studies
Teacher Training
Department of
School &
Teacher Education
other schools
40 ects
20 ects
Didactics/Pedagogy Orientation
practice
Seminars
Minor practice
Research
Major practice
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www.minedu.fi (Ministry of Education)
www.oph.fi (National Board of Education)
www.utu.fi (University of Turku)
www.tnk.utu.fi (Turku Teacher Training
School)