IMPROVE: ECF Professional development programmes for teachers
High calibre teachers are one of the most important factors in enabling high-quality teaching and learning. Finnish basic education is recognized as one of the best in the world and this is greatly due to the quality of Finnish teacher education.
ECF PD Programmes are unique in-service skills-building processes focusing on knowledge and practical skills for improving the performance of teachers in all levels of education. The tailor-made programmes are created together with the client to match the exact needs of the customer. The process makes the fundamentals of excellence of Finnish teacher education available globally.
Framework of the PD programmes
The programme consists of four pillars each involving work on specific competence-building modules. The pillars foster a reflective process which supports the enhancement of teaching and learning through school-based development. This process will involve team-based assignments such as group work and reading circle discussions, and independent study such as observations, lectures, reading and reflective essays.The full PD Process of 60 ECTS extends over 18- 24 months, depending on personal study plans.
The programme emphasises pedagogical issues in school environment and will be tailored according to the special features of the culture, context and local education policy. All the knowledge and learning processes of the programme focus on increasing the individual capacity of educators to improve the performance of the whole school community.
Tutoring and guidance, acknowledged as one core competencies of all educators, are recognized as an integral part of the PD process. The supportive guidance during the studies supports on-the-job-learning, which is used as core of the learning process. Overall, the training process coaches the participants towards continuously analyzing and developing their own work and builds the prerequisites to incorporate theoretical knowledge with day-to-day classroom practices.
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Goal of the PD process
The goal of the PD programme is to offer pedagogical competence up skilling for the participating teachers. The foundation of the PD programme is on the Finnish teacher pedagogical studies. It involves hands-on development of generic features of this proven model, fusion of Finnish teaching and learning experience with the local experience and knowledge, and emergent school-based competences-building.
Core contents and modes of delivery
The process takes about two years to complete. Assignments and other tasks will be closely linked to everyday teaching practice. In addition, there will be short study visits to Finland. The final mode of delivery will be tailor-made to best cater for the customer needs.
1. Lectures
2. Workshops
3. Peer teaching
4. Mentoring and tutoring sessions
5. Observation
6. Intensive periods and study visits
The studies can be conducted either as:
1. short-term teacher training programmes that are delivered during vacations or/and during the academic year
2. long-term academic studies (60 ECTS) leading to the Teacher Pedagogical Qualification Certificate accredited by the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
Download brochure
ECF PD Programme brochure
Contact for further information
Director, Global Operations Elise Tarvainen
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