TC: Nordic Perspectives: University Pedagogy and Teaching in the Nordic Academia

Finnish schools have ranked high in PISA and OECD tests as well as in several other international studies. How does the Finnish pedagogical approach translate itself to a university setting? In this workshop, we will take a look at the methods of teaching within the Nordic academia, especially the pedagogical training given to university teachers and researchers at the University of Helsinki. The workshop provides insights into the constructivist, learner-centered university pedagogy, and explores the practical ways these principles can be applied to higher education in an international context.

The workshop allows the participants to develop their pedagogical knowledge and understanding of different pedagogical traditions, challenges of international classroom, and Nordic societies in general. Finns have a tendency to pride with their pragmaticism; therefore, the aim of the workshop is not only to present the Finnish/Nordic pedagogical model but also to give practical hands-on advice that the participants can apply to their own future teaching.

After taking the workshop, the participant is able to…
- describe the core elements of the Finnish pedagogical approach and compare it with other pedagogical traditions (e.g. the German one)
- identify principles of the constructivist teaching methods and the learner-centered approach
- apply the aforementioned knowledge in a lecture room setting

Workshop language: English

//Sarianna Kankkunen

Sarianna Kankkunen is a doctoral student working on her dissertation ”Harassing Habitats. Experienced Space in Maarit Verronen’s Prose Fiction”. She’s a member of the European PhDnet for Literary and Cultural Studies and writes a co-supervised thesis between the University of Helsinki and Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany. Kankkunen studies university pedagogy at the Centre for University Teaching and Learning and has taught classes on Finnish literature for the international students of the University of Helsinki.