Completed projects
Post-Secondary Vocational Education in the Nordic Countries
Post-secondary level qualifications are often neglected when discussing the more general pathways of vocational education and training (VET). They are important, however, because of the societal functions they have and the traditions of training they represent in specific educational structures. The purpose of this project was to find answers to the following two issues concerning post-secondary vocational education and training. Firstly, what kind of post-secondary (ISCED levels 4 and 5B) vocational education and training there is in the Nordic countries, and secondly, what are the possibilities to enter from these levels to higher education. The project was set up by the commission of the Leonardo da Vinci project on "Nordic Co-operation between the Ministries on the European Qualification Framework" in 2007.
Further information:
Professor Marja-Leena Stenström, e-mail: marja-leena.stenstrom@jyu.fi, phone: +358 40 805 4278
Development of Elements for Quality Assurance within Practice-Oriented Higher Education (DEQU)
The project aimed at developing elements of quality assurance in selected “key processes” for practice and professional field oriented higher education under the outlines of the Bologna process as well as the Copenhagen process. Furthermore, DEQU intended to create benchmarks within these elements of quality assurance for practice and professional field oriented higher education, thereby facilitating national and international comparability of the different quality assurance methods. The Finnish sub-study concerned workplace placements.
Further information:
Professor Marja-Leena Stenström, e-mail: marja-leena.stenstrom@jyu.fi, phone: +358 40 805 4278
Quality Assurance and Practice-Oriented Assessment in Vocational Education and Training in Europe
The main objective of the QUAL-PRAXIS project, which ran from 2003 to 2006, was to discuss and examine practice-oriented models of assessment from the perspective of different national VET traditions. The project focused on identifying current innovations and future developments in practices and approaches to the assessment of work-related learning in five European countries. Particular attention was paid to models and good practices of practice-oriented assessment. The elements comprise assessment as part of learning, reflection, self-assessment, feedback, authentic context, assessor training, transparent assessment, joint assessment, and multiplicity of methods. The above factors can be characterised as representing an activity environment and a learning process. The list of principles of good practice is indicative, not a comprehensive one. It identifies factors connected with validity and reliability and, thus, with the quality of practice-oriented assessment.
Further information:
Professor Marja-Leena Stenström, e-mail: marja-leena.stenstrom@jyu.fi, phone: +358 40 805 4278
Marja-Leena Stenström, Kari Itkonen and Pentti Nikkanen
Self-assessment system and effectiveness of competence development in enterprises (IAV)
In Central Finland there are many ongoing projects applying various methods and proce-dures to improve competence in enterprises in the spirit of a learning region. The Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä, conducts a research and development project on self-assessment and effectiveness of company-based competence, in co-operation with the Regional Council of Central Finland, Jyväskylä Educational Consor-tium, Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, and Central Finland Chamber of Commerce. The project is funded by ESF and administered by the Regional Council of Central Finland.
The project aims at designing a self-assessment based tool for enterprises, by means of which they could independently review and plan for the development and management of their own business competence as well as estimate development needs regarding the learning resources and conditions in their business. Another goal of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the company-based competence development efforts from the viewpoint of enterprises and the region.
Project website: https://ktl.jyu.fi/iav. Project period June 1, 2009–Dec. 31, 2010.
Marja-Leena Stenström, Päivi Tynjälä, Kaija Collin, Kari Itkonen, Mari Murtonen, Pentti Nikkanen, Maarit Virolainen and Matti Vesa Volanen
Integration of Work and Learning: Strategies for Connectivity and Transformation
The aim of the study is to examine models, strategies and processes of work-based learning in different contexts and at different levels of the education system. The project is multidisciplinary in nature and includes international comparisons. The emphasis is on recognising and identifying the processes of connectivity and transformation at three levels of analysis: at the level of individual and social learning processes, at the level of organisational learning processes and at the level of the educational system both nationally and internationally. The main focus of the project is on vocational education and training and on professional development in work organisations, although it also covers other levels of the education system. The disciplinary scope of the project extends from educational sciences to economics and social sciences.
www.peda.net/veraja/worklearn
Ilpo Kuronen
Dropping out from vocational secondary education
This qualitative study investigates the experiences of students at risk of dropping out, or those already dropped out, relative to the underlying factors thereof. Dropping out is approached as a matter of transitional problems and risk of marginalisation, tensions with school, a process spanning from the final stage of compulsory school to the first year in vocational education, and also in terns of individuals’ experiences within the variety of study paths. The project is funded by Alli Paasikivi Foundation.
Pentti Nikkanen
Transformation of Individual Learning Into Organisational Learning
"Individual mental models play a pivotal role not only in individual learning but also in organisational learning" (Kim 1993). The purpose of the study is to consider how developing forms of cooperation between education and working life could generate work-based strategies that ease the transformation of the individual learning cycle (single-loop learning) into the organisational learning cycle (double-loop learning). Particular attention will be paid to identifying and exploring factors linked with continuous work-based learning.
Pentti Nikkanen
CCC / Frontex: Common Core Curriculum (CCC) for EU Border Guard Basic Education and Training
The CCC updating project for EU border guard basic training started at the end of 2005. The second step of the CCC was ready by the end of 2007, and the CCC was ready for use. During 2008 the project prepares for CCC implementations in EU Member States and for planning a measurement system and measuring tools for pilot and follow-up studies. The project is a part of Europe-wide curricular development activities of BG training organised and managed by EU Frontex Agency and carried out in co-operation with EU Member States, Schengen associated countries (SAC), EU agencies, the University of Jyväskylä / Institute for Educational Research and the University of Bologna.
Pentti Nikkanen
CMC / Frontex: Common Core Mid-Level Curriculum (CMC) for Mid-Level Officers’ Education and Training
In 2007 the Training Unit of Frontex Agency arranged four Mid-Level Officer (MLO) training courses, each of which was one month in length and every week arranged in altering countries. In 2008 there will be six courses. This project collects the students’ (15 students per course) feedback from every course to evaluate the courses from the pedagogical and content points of view, for instance. All these courses thus also serve the development of the Common Core Mid-Level Curriculum (CMC) in line with the CCC and Copenhagen and Bologna processes in Europe.
Marja-Leena Stenström and Päivi Tynjälä
From Higher Education to Working Life
The purpose of the research project is to examine the transition from universities and polytechnics to work. The focus is on graduates' transition to working life and on their experiences of how well their training has equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed in working life. The development of the university and polytechnic graduates' professional competence in working life will also be examined. Research data were collected from graduates representing four university (teacher education, education, computer science, pharmacy) and three polytechnic (business and administration, health and social services, technology and transport) degree programmes.
Päivi Tynjälä, Pentti Nikkanen and Matti Vesa Volanen
The Role of Educational Institutions in the Development of Learning Region
The purpose of the study is to examine how higher education and vocational and education training institutions may contribute to the development of a learning region, especially in the area of Central Finland. The term learning region refers to geographical regions, such as cities and provinces, where organisations, individuals and networks are encouraged to learn from each other. In the beginning phase the study is focussed on the role of VET in developing Central Finland as a learning region. International comparisons will also be conducted in the future.
Päivi Tynjälä, Pentti Nikkanen, Anne Virtanen and Matti Vesa Volanen
Collaboration between Vocational Education and Working Life in Central Finland
The aim of the present study is to investigate collaboration between educational institutions and working life in the area of Central Finland. The study is focussed on three main themes: 1) the quality of students' on-the-job learning assessed by students, 2) networking between vocational institutes and enterprises, and 3) organisational learning taking place in educational and work organisations. Data is being collected from students, teachers, workplace instructors, and the actors who have been developing collaboration between vocational education and working life in Central Finland. The study is financed by Regional Council of Central Finland.
Ulla Maija Valleala
Shared Understanding in Education and Work - The Role of Context in Discussions among Student Group and Work Team
In this study shared understanding is examined as linguistic, situational and context-bound shared action. The purpose is to find out how participants interpret their situational context and how it becomes a resource for their understanding. The purpose is also to explicate the micro processes of interaction where shared knowledge and understanding are developing in education and work contexts. The data consist of discussions among two small groups of Open University students and four work teams of municipal youth workers. The discussions are analysed and compared by conversation analysis.
Maarit Virolainen
Cooperation Between Polytechnics and Working Life
The purpose of the study is to identify different models of implementing cooperation between polytechnics and working life and develop indicators that can be used to evaluate such cooperation. The research materials consist of interviews with people responsible for collaboration with working life in three study fields. In the second stage of the project, students completing their studies in 2004 will be asked about their experiences of cooperation between polytechnics and working life.
Päivi Vuorinen-Lampila and Marja-Leena Stenström
From Higher Education To Working Life: Polytechnics and University Graduates' Work Life Skills and Employment
The study examines the Finnish dual system of higher education from the viewpoint of “products” of education by analysing university and polytechnics graduates self-evaluated working life skills and employment. The project continues previous studies conducted on the topic and thus makes it possible to carry out follow-up analyses. The data is gathered from two large fields of university and polytechnics education (technology and business). Publication information available in Finnish here.
Sakari Saukkonen and Kirsi Syynimaa
Boost for graduation and transition to working life
This ESF-funded project aims to support 18 practical HE development projects during years 2008–2012. A broad objective of the practical projects is improved student success, which is endorsed by guidance and counselling as well as pedagogical arrangements. “Boost for graduation” -project supports the work of the practical development projects by collecting promising practices and research evidence. Collected data is structured and disseminated back to HE field in order to help both on-going projects and HE institutions to realize their goals.
Päivi Vuorinen-Lampila
Student Flows and the Educational Orientation of Applicants to Higher Education
The study analyses choice between university and polytechnic in the Finnish higher education system and the factors that determine applicants' preference for one or the other track of higher education or that eventually lead them to one of them. More specifically, is their choice influenced by their practical or theoretical educational orientation or by some other factors in their background? The data has been gathered by questionnaires from young people who applied to polytechnics and universities in 2001. The persistence of their choice and the progress of their studies was monitored through a follow-up survey in autumn 2003.
Vuorinen, P. & Valkonen, S. Ammattikorkeakoulu ja yliopisto yksilöllisten koulutustavoitteiden toteuttajina. [Polytechnics and universities as a path to individual educational goals]. Jyväskylän yliopisto. Koulutuksen tutkimuslaitos. Tutkimusselosteita 25.
https://ktl.jyu.fi/img/portal/11511/G025Vuorinen.pdf (with English abstract)
Aini-Kristiina Jäppinen
Guiding and Preparatory Vocational Upper Secondary Education Programme
The Finnish Ministry took the initiative to start a vocational education guiding and preparatory programme in 2006. The programme is meant for the students who have finished the comprehensive school but who do not know where to start their continuing studies. The aim is to introduce the students into different study fields and working life in order to be able to choose the right learning path. The experiment programme has proved to be very promising. With this particular research in 2007-2009, the Department of Education wanted to find out its effectiveness and the curricular grounds. In 2010, the progamme was finally established.
Aini-Kristiina Jäppinen
Reducing the Drop-out Rate in Vocational Upper Secondary Education
In spite of many positive results to reduce drop-out of education, this issue yet challenges the Finnish education. Therefore, the Department of Education wanted to clarify the best practices and measures which had proved to be successful in reducing drop-out of vocational education, based on the experiences of 14 vocational education organizers. In finding these, the aim of the project was to support the whole vocational education field to benefit from the results.
http://www.minedu.fi/export/sites/default/OPM/Julkaisut/2007/liitteet/opm27.pdf?lang=fi
