Study Guide

Objective

The students recognize their personal strengths and development needs while planning their studies. The students know what kinds of language skills, study skills and digital competence are needed in higher education studies. The students also know how to develop these skills. The students can operate in digital learning environments and use digital conferencing tools and cloud services in processing and sharing information. The students know how to find the key points in texts relevant to higher education. The students understand and know how to write down the key points from spoken language.

Content

The course introduces the Finnish higher education system and higher education as a learning environment. The course focuses on the use of digital tools and different learning techniques. The course focus on the vocabulary needed in higher education studies and introduces students with reading and understanding professional texts and other text types. The course also gives tools to practice language skills independently, to practice listening comprehension, to take (lecture) notes and to search for information from different sources.

Materials

The study material can be found in the learning environment itslearning. Study materials include e.g.
- Curricula
- Different web pages and materials
- General and scientific articles

Studying takes place in Itslearning online environment as well as in weekly meetings that obligatory. Students work both independently, regardless of time and place, and communally with the rest of the student group.

Teaching methods

Learning-by-doing, task-based and independent study

The course provides the prerequisites for studying in higher education in Finland.

Exam schedules

There is no final exam for the course.

International connections

learning-by-doing, lectures, teamwork, supporting learning

Student workload

5 credits is equivalent to 135 hours of student work.

Further information

Own computer is needed.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is assessed on a scale of 0 to 5. Grade is influenced by written and oral learning assignments during the course, which are assessed on a scale of 0 to 2.

0, to be supplemented: The task has not followed the instructions or has not been done
1, Accepted: The task is done according to the instructions
2, excellent: The task is done according to the instructions and it shows familiarity

Grade vs Point limits
5 – 30 points
4 – 27 points
3 – 25 points
2 – 23 points
1 – 20 points

The course has 8 themes to assess. For each topic, the student receives 1-2 points for attendance (depending on the lectures) and 0-2 points for the assignment to be returned (depending on the scope of the assignment).

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Less than 20 course points.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

2 – 23 points
1 – 20 points

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

4 – 27 points
3 – 25 points

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 – 30 points