Vocational education Today and tomorrow
Group Dewey’s themes 1. How does vocational education relate to the larger whole of the Finnish education? 2. What challenges for vocational education are set by the working life?
1. How does vocational education relate to the larger whole of the Finnish education?
What’s the first thought in your mind after reading the question above?
Oh well‌
Vocational education The yellow texts are based on interview data:
Project Manager Leena Happonen, Kainuu Vocational College
How does vocational education relate to the larger whole of the Finnish education?
Essential part of the Finnish educational system Extensive and good quality basic degrees (120 study credits over 2,5-3,5 years) with strong ties to the working world Minimum of 20 credits of learning in the work place Possible to combine upper secondary studies with vocational studies in a flexible manner (approximately 4 years), suitable for those whose aim is academic education in the future
Discussion
What are your experiences of vocational education?
What do you think about the value of vocational education?
What pros and cons it has compared with upper secondary high school (/sixth form)?
2. What challenges for vocational education are set by the working life?
Local and Global
Innovations
Educator
Adapted from TaivassaloSalkosuo
Resources, students, learning ennvironments,
Entrepreneurship
Working/ Economic Life
Think tank in padlet.com: http://padlet.com/wall/qcm536viz5 (room 1) http://padlet.com/wall/xvyz35qfhg (room 2) http://padlet.com/wall/bilu05pzgh (room3)
What challenges for vocational education are set by the working life?
Continuous change and the influence of global trends Difficult to predict how the demands of the working world change How do vocational teachers stay up to date in regards to the demands of the working world? An increased demand for learning in work places, therefore the supervision of students there needs resources Regional needs for education -> is the interaction with regional actors and businesses active?
Experiences: Work practice Think about your own past: 1. How did you apply for the work practice place? 2. Did you get supervising and/or feedback during or after your practice period(s)? 3. Do the practice periods work as bridges to the real working life? 4. Compare: How is the situation with applying to a job, supervising and feedback in real work life?
The future of work? Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Yt4wxSblc Discussion: What do you think about the future of work as it is shown in the video? Is it realistic? What kind of differences there may be between people with various levels of education? Will the whole world of work change, or only a part of it? What part or jobs will change most? Are there differences between cultures (work cultures, ethnical cultures) in the future of work or will they disappear as the world and organizations are becoming flat as it says in the video?
Challenges for teachers • Today´s students will be in work life
for the next 40 years if not more
What to teach today to tomorrow´s professionals? Continous change in worklife, technologies,
processes Some jobs have already ceased to exist Knowledge, skills, tools, mindset!
How to keep up with the speed of change? Are today´s teachers
Pace setters Reluctant followers Activists in change resistance ?
Brainstorming: A Good Education
For the demands of today and the future, what kind of a study programme would be sufficient?
What kind of education you think is working as your insurance for the future?
What subjects are required in education? (Short and long term)