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Teacher education in Finland. - In brief. Class and Subject Teachers. 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’)
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Teacher education in Finland - In brief
Class and Subject Teachers • 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.
The Main Elements of Teacher Education Consist of Studies in: • 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
The Unique Way of Organizing Teacher Training in Finland • 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 • Schools’ operations are governed and financed by the Ministry of Education.
Participants in Teaching Practice • 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 • 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.
More information • 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)