Aihearkisto: henkilöstö

More visitors from VWNotts

ECVET, globaalistuminen, henkilöstö, koulutusjärjestelmät, opiskelijaliikkuvuus, osaaminen, saapuvat opiskelijat

Jyväskylä Educational Consortium had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Andrew King (Director of Innovation and Strategy) and Ms. Kadri Saat (International Coordinator)  from our partner college in Mansfield, UK for three days between 10-12 April 2017.

The visit was short and intensive covering many areas of mutual interest including entrepreneurship education, management of the blended learning (VET & Adults), use of technology, plans for the future as well as relationships with employers (delivery and what part they play in VET) and relationship with HE and progressions for VET learners.

Kadri Saat, Pirjo Kauhanen and Andrew King

The visitors impressions were very positive and although the visit was short  we were able to indentify several areas where we can continue cooperation and learn from each other. When asked to mention three main takeaways from the meetings and discussions they had during their visit Andrew and Kadri mentioned the following:

”Firstly,  the relationship you have with the local employers: the way you nurture these, the impact to the skills and competencies from an extended on-the-job learning and how the end competency test is often completed at the workplace.

Then, how the entrepreneurship is embedded across the college and how all students are encouraged to establish and run mini companies with the support from the college.

The partnership and strong collaborative work that you do with two local universities. The new centrally based joint company to share the resource, expertise and support the progression.”

Andrew King, Jaana Virtanen and Hanna Frilander visiting the new facilites at Harju Campus.

Kadri and Andrew would like to thank everyone who participated in their visit: Pirjo Kauhanen, Anu Tokila, Maarit Kaija, Hanna Rajala,  Niina Helin, Pia Kotro,  Sinikka Luukainen, Sari Mynttinen, Mira Ahtila, Milka Niskanen, Minna Ahokas, Jaana Virtanen, Hanna Frilander & Markku Tarvainen.

More information: Rea Tuominen p.6159

http://www.wnc.ac.uk/

Digitalisation in Northern Ireland

henkilöstö, koulutusjärjestelmät, osaaminen, rahoitus, seuranta

Money is tight and in all our development work the motto is ”more for less” – there is an increased need to find new, efficient ways in organizing VET provision with the help of ICT and learning technology and all supportive services around them.

VET qualifications in Finland are fully competence based and in no way linked to any input elements anymore. With the exception of comprehensive school leavers for whom there is a targeted, national joint application process, also intake is now more or less non-stop which means that new learners can start their studies basically every week. This also means that VET providers are required to make learning plans for each learner individually.

With the above in mind, a team of Jyväskylä Educational Consortium staff members – including  Hanna Rajala, Chief Information Officer & Quality Manager, Jaana Virtanen, Learning Technology Expert, Vesa Pulkkinen, IT designer, specialized in student information systems and learning technology and Minna Ahokas, Programme Manager, guidance counselling, libraries – set out to investigate how our partners in Norther Ireland are using digital tools to improve and make their processes more effective.  The visit took place at three of the six NI VET providers, all members also of The Network of Networks (NoN) led by The Dutch Alliance (TDA).

Keith Kilpatrick, Assistant Director for ILT Development and ILT Systems

The group had with them a long list of question such as

  • How are ICT services organised; what is done internally, what is co-created with partners and what services, if any, are bought from a third party? Where client-software / cloud-software are used and what kind of support services are provided for college staff and (VET) learners?
  • Virtual learning policies and strategies; what is the procedure, how are decisions on eLearning tools used/ supported made? How is the support for teachers organized so that they can efficiently use learning technology in their teaching? What kind of virtual learning tools are used and how and how is the use monitored?
  • Guidance; how are guidance and career counselling processes organised? Who are responsible for various stages of guidance and career counselling (recruitment, student admission, guidance during and at the end of the studies? What kinds of digital or other tools are used in guidance?

Glen McMahon, International Manger, Belfast MET

More often than not, we find out that there are more similarities than differences between our practices and those of our partners, and this is also the conclusion of this benchmarking visit. In some areas we are a little bit behind, in others perhaps a step or two ahead. Although all hosts, Southern Regional College, Belfast Metropolitan College and Northern Regional College are operating in a relatively similar context, they had all solved some of the issues in slightly different ways or started their implementation process from a slightly different angle. These contrasts made the 3-day visit very interesting and not repetitive in the least.  Having said that, perhaps the most important outcome of the visit was the message of cooperation. Although all VET providers have their own processes and various things are created and provided for local use, they also benefit greatly from cooperation not just on regional but on national level as well.

The Northern Irish VET providers are all members of Jisc – the UK higher, further education and skills sectors’ not-for-profit organisation for digital services and solutions. Jisc champion the importance and potential of digital technologies for UK education and research; and do three main things: operate shared digital infrastructure and services, negotiate sector-wide deals with IT vendors and commercial publishers and  provide trusted advice and practical assistance for universities, colleges and learning providers. The research and development work done by Jisc is integrated across these three areas.

A relatively cheap Jisc annual membership provides its members a significant advantage by pooling resources and sharing expertise nationally.

Discussions on this issue will continue at the Network of Networks Annual Meeting in the UK in September 2017.

Jaana Virtanen, Hanna Rajala, Damien Caldwell, Minna Ahokas, Vesa Pulkkinen and Irvine Abraham at NRC Ballymena campus.

The JEC team wishes to thank the hosts Southern Regional College, Belfast MET and Norther Regional College. Hopefully we can return the favour to you all sometime in the not too distant future!

Kansainvälisyyttä lukujen valossa

ajankohtainen, henkilöstö, kansainvälisyyskoulu, opiskelijaliikkuvuus, yleinen

Monien kulttuurien yhteisön arkitoiminnassa kansainvälisyyden ja monikulttuurisuuden tulee näkyä ja kuulua monin eri tavoin. Aina näin kevään korvalla sitä on mahdollista tarkastella toteutuneiden ulkomaan jaksojen, matkojen ja matkustaneiden henkilöiden määrillä.

Jyväskylän koulutuskuntayhtymän opiskelijat matkustavat pääsääntöisesti työssäoppimaan tai opiskelemaan. Vuonna 2016 ulkomaille lähteneitä opiskelijoita oli yhteensä 575.

Henkilöstön edustajien ulkomaille suuntautuneet matkat voivat olla esimerkiksi arviointikäyntejä työssäoppimispaikkoihin, kurssimatkoja, opetusjaksoja tai tutustumista kumppanioppilaitoksen käytäntöihin. Tällaisia matkoja tehneitä henkilöitä oli vuonna 2016 yhteensä 370.

Meille myös vastaanotetaan ulkomailta sekä opiskelijoita (vuonna 2016 yhteensä 374 opiskelijaa) että henkilöstöä (vuonna 2016 yhteensä 193 henkilöä). Kaikissa edellisissä luvuissa on pientä nousua vuoden 2015 lukuihin verrattuna, mikä onkin juuri oikea suunta.

Viime vuoden aikana kuntayhtymän KV-tiimissä koottiin tulosalueiden tekemät itsearvioinnit omien liikkuvuustoimintojensa suhteen. Kokemuksia ja tuloksia vertaisarvioitiin suuremmissa ryhmissä, joihin kutsuttiin mukaan osallistujia kaikilta tulosalueilta.

Opiskelijoiden kansainvälistymisen osalta voidaan yleistäen sanoa, että meillä menee hyvin sikäli, että kaikille ulkomaan jaksosta kiinnostuneille lähtijöille löytyy sopiva kohdemaa ja työssäoppimis-/opiskelupaikka. Sen sijaan parannettavaa meillä on tiedon saavutettavuudessa; edelleenkään – ja kaikista tiedotus-, motivointi- ja ohjaustoimista huolimatta – kaikki opiskelijat eivät tiedä ulkomailla odottavista, unohtumattomista mahdollisuuksista.

Myös henkilöstöä kannustetaan vahvistamaan kansainvälistä osaamistaan, ja vuosi vuodelta useampi niin tekeekin. Opettajakunnan lisäksi vuonna 2016 maailmalle lähti opinto- ja koulutussihteereitä, opinto-ohjaajia ja hallintohenkilöstöä. Jotta esimiesten henkilöstölleen antama kansainvälistymisen tuki juurtuisi ja vahvistuisi koko organisaation tasolla, olisi tärkeää, että myös johdon edustajat itse voisivat olla enemmän mukana esimerkiksi silloin, kun uusista kumppanuuksista sovitaan ja yhteisiä tavoitteita asetetaan.

Visitors from Vision West Nottinghamshire

ECVET, Gradia Jyväskylä, henkilöstö, koulutusjärjestelmät, opiskelijaliikkuvuus

 

Jyväskylä College had the pleasure of hosting 5 educational experts from Vision West Nottinghamshire (UK)  for two very intensive days 14-15 February 2016. The cooperation begun in the autumn term 2016 when Jyväskylä College sent 6 students for their on-the-job learning period to Mansfield where the college is located.

The aim of the visit to Jyväskylä was on one hand to plan the student exchanges from UK to Jyväskylä later in the spring but also to discuss various areas of common interest. The visitors and their specific areas of interest were the following:

Alex Norbury – Programme Lead for Business Studies.

How enterprise is currently run and developed at the college, How are students supported through enterprise activities particularly running their own business i.e. funding and time remission, How are soft skills developed i.e. decision making, organisation and initiative and How the blended curriculum offer is delivered i.e. a blend of vocational and academic.

Davina Mouj – Programme Lead for Child Care

If possible would like to visit settings that support children in the following age ranges 0-2, 2-3 & 3-5 years, Management of transitions of children, Support for children who have been identified as having an additional need, Frameworks that the Early Years are required to work to,  Observation, assessment and recording of children’s learning and development, The programme of study that the students follow and Management of the student’s work placements.

Vandana Sharma – Study Skills Coach

Blended learning, Virtual learning environment which you use and how, How you use information technology in your teaching and Basically how technology enhances the learning experience of the students.

 Nikki Slack – Head of School for Hair, Beauty, Catering & Hospitality and Travel & Helen Wilcockson – Area Manager for Catering & Hospitality and Travel.

They were both especially interested in looking around our salons and the learning kitchens/restaurants where 8 learners from their college will spend their placements in spring and do Risk Assessment paperwork. They were also very interested in our in students’ mini companies.

Why did you choose to come to Finland and to Jyväskylä College?

To learn about the Finnish Education System and the Entrepreneurship Scheme which is the best in Finland.

What did you see and do?

We have had a tour of various campus’ (four in total). We have met a number of students and staff and had a tour of the city which was hosted by the Tourism students (who were extremely knowledgeable and hospitable. They used their English language skills exceptionally well.

What did you learn?

  • How to improve current Entrepreneurship Schemes.
  • E-learning tools.
  • The programme of study for Health and Social Care.
  • The workings of a Day Care Centre.
  • How the students self evaluate themselves (working in the triangle of tutor, mentor and student)
  • We have learnt a few words in the Finnish language.

What kind of impact the visit will have on you personally or on your team/ organisation? (short/medium/long term)

  • Create a stronger partnership between both colleges
  • Install some of the effective practices that we have observed into our own areas.

The next steps in this cooperation have been already planned and there will be more student and staff mobilities taking place already before the end of this academic year. The cooperation is off to a good start  and the next academic year will hopefully bring more good things.

Huge thanks also to all the hosts who participated in the visit!

More information Rea Tuominen, International Coordinator

Trainee Teachers from Germany

Gradia Jyväskylä, henkilöstö, kotikansainvälisyys, koulutusjärjestelmät, osaaminen

Arzu, Sarah and Florian from Frankfurt/Wiesbaden Germany

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Who are you and where do you come from?

My Name is Florian Schwarz, I am 28 years old and I live in Germany. My greatest passion is to travel, see the world and meet interesting people.

My name is Arzu Tokgöz. I am 26 years old and from Germany. I love reading books and discovering new cultures. Therefore, I am interested in getting to know people from all over the world.

My name is Sarah Ritschel. I am 27 years old and from Germany. I love travelling and meeting a lot of interesting people. I am interested in arts, literature, theatre and fashion.

What are you studying?

We are trainee teachers at vocational colleges in Germany and are attending the teacher training program at the moment. Our subjects are Business Administration (Arzu and Florian), Hairdressing (Sarah), English (Arzu and Sarah), and Politics (Florian).

What have you been doing in Jyväskylä?

We came to Jyväskylä to get to know the Finnish vocational school system. Therefore, we visited different classes in Business Administration, Hairdressing, English, and Politics and had the possibility to talk to students and teachers about their own educational system. We also presented the German vocational education system to the students and teachers who were really interested and also surprised about some basic differences. Based on these exchanges, we figured out the distinctions between the Finnish and German vocational school system and gained new experiences in teaching.

How long have you stayed in Jyväskylä?

We have been in Finland for three weeks. We arrived in Jyväskylä at the 23rd of October and we will be leaving at the 10th of November. On our way to Finland, we travelled through Tallinn and St. Petersburg. We also want to stay two and a half days in Helsinki from the 10th – 12th of November. We have also visited Rovaniemi, a town in the north of Finland to discover the country.

Do you think the time has been too short (why?), too long (why?)

The time of three weeks was perfect for us. Concerning the vocational college that we visited during this time, there we have seen everything and gained many insights into the Finnish school system. As for the city, three weeks were enough to discover Jyväskylä, visit the most important spots and get to know the Finnish culture.

What have you learned during your stay?

We got to know Finnish people and Finnish culture much better. It was interesting to see that some clichés were absolutely not true. Finnish people are very friendly and talkative and are always willing to help. We knew that sauna took a special place in Finnish culture but we were really wondering when we heard that almost every family has its own sauna within their houses. Another interesting fact we learned was that Finnish people drink a lot of coffee. It was completely new to us. And of course, we also learned some Finnish 😉

What have been the best moments during your stay?  

We made many experiences during our stay. One of our best decisions was definitely to book the Airbnb flat of Juha Virenius, who is a very nice Finnish ex ice hockey player. He always invited us to his bar and presented us to his friends. So it was possible for us to see how Finnish people live here and pass their leisure time. Therefore, our highlight of the trip was meeting Finnish people here. We have found many new friends and they made our stay unforgettable. They spent time with us in the afternoons after school or in the evenings, cooked for us and were always helpful. We had a very good time with them! Getting to know a lot of teachers at the vocational school was also a pleasure. They were very friendly and invited us to their places. They showed us their way to live and their lifestyle.

Give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning to come to Jyväskylä. How should they prepare? What should they do/see/visit/experience?

  1. Having a walk along the lakes: It is very calming and if the sun shines, it gives such a beautiful view.
  2. Visiting the tower of Jyväskylä: You will have a great view of Jyväskylä and the lakes around the city.
  3. Going to an ice hockey game of JYP: It is a different feeling and atmosphere which everyone should enjoy to understand the Finnish passion for ice hockey.
  4. Eating traditional Finnish food and going to sauna: This is highly recommended to everyone visiting Jyväskylä to understand the Finnish culture better.

Take definitely sports clothes with you because Finnish people do sports regardless of the weather conditions. They go on a walk on the Harju hill or along the lakes. You should also book an Airbnb flat, so you can cook on your own and have the feeling that you really live in Finland and are not a tourist. Jyväskylä has many museums to visit. Inform you about the museums and try to focus on those you are really interested in. Jyväskylä also has very interesting and authentic coffee shops, inform you about them and try to visit as many as you can.

More information: Rea Tuominen, international coordinator