Introduction to Higher Education Studies (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

During the course, students will learn about about higher education in Finland. They develop their general study skills (different text-types in higher education, teamwork skills, etc.) and get to know e.g. different digital tools used in studying.

Course programme:
Orientation to study path and individual study plan
Finnish educational system
Study skills and learning methods in higher education
Continuous learning and future study plans
Reflecting on higher education studies in Finland
Sustainable development in Finnish higher education
Languages and communication in Finnish higher education and work communities
Feedback on the course and planning studies for spring semester

Objective

Students learn about the Finnish higher education system and practices in Finnish higher education. They recognize their personal strengths and development needs while planning their studies. Students know what kind of study skills, digital competence and language skills are needed in higher education studies. They also know how to develop these skills. Students can operate in digital learning environments and use cloud services in processing and sharing information.

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 methods. The course also focuses on concepts that are related in higher education and introduces students with texts and text types that are important in higher education studies.

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

Teaching methods

Studying takes place in weekly meetings that take place at Kupittaa campus as well as in itslearning online environment. Students work both independently and communally with the rest of the student group.
The course begins with three orientation days: 18.8.2024, 21.8.2024 and 25.8.2025. After that, the course includes contact teaching usually once a week. Successful completion of the course requires active participation in contact lessons (at least 40%).

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Teaching is implemented in a way that the studying of the course themes and the development of general study skills support each other. One of the course themes is sustainable development in higher education.
The study emphasizes communal learning, which is also implemented as small group work. The study group is international and students familiarize themselves with higher education in different fields.

Student workload

5 credits is equivalent to 135 hours of student work.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assignments to be graded:
- Summary about continuous learning
- PowerPoint presentation about higher education in Finland
- Blog post about reflections on studying in Finland
- Quiz about sustainable development in higher education
- Essay about sustainable development in higher education

All the above mentioned assignments are assessed on a scale of 0 to 2. In addition, student's attendance and activeness is graded (max 4 points).

• 0 points: to be supplemented – The task has not been done or it does not follow the instructions
• 1 points: accepted – The task is done according to the instructions
• 2 points: excellent – The task is done according to the instructions and it shows familiarity

The course is assessed on a scale of 0 to 5. Grade is defined on the basis of assignments (see above). The maximum score for assignments and course activity is 16 points. The final grade of the course is based on the points as follows:

0–5 p = 0;
6 p = 1;
7–8 p = 2;
9–10 p = 3;
11–12 p = 4;
13–14 p = 5

Failed (0)

Student has not achieved the objectives of the course. Student recognizes and can use only a few concepts related to the course themes and does not know how to apply what they have learned. The student has not participated sufficiently (at least 40%) in contact teaching.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course passable. Student recognizes and can use the concepts related to the course themes and understands the prerequisites for the development of competence.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course well, although knowledge and skills still need to be developed in some areas. Student is able to use well the concepts of the course themes and apply what they have learned. Students are able to analyze their own competence.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course very well. Student is able to master the concepts related to the course themes and can analyse issues related to the themes fluently and justifiably. Student is able to apply in future studies everything they have learned. Student is able to analyze the competence required for studies in their field (of interest) and the development of their own competence.

Further information

To study online, you need a computer and an internet connection.