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TAMK International

Strengthening Higher Education Pedagogy Competences at Tampere University of Applied Sciences

— hanna.ylli@tuni.fi
Digital open badges constellation.

Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) is committed to enhancing the pedagogical competences of its teaching and guidance staff through a structured Pedagogical Development Programme. This initiative supports continuous learning and professional growth, guided by TAMK’s four pedagogical principles Learning Orientation, Participatory Learning Communities, Expertise in Working Life Development, and Sustainable Future, and the use of competence-based digital open badges (Ilola et al., 2022), which are organised as a constellation.

Pedagogical Development Programme

Launched in 2022, the programme aligns with TAMK’s strategic goals and the EU’s emphasis on micro-credentials to promote continuous lifelong learning and employability (European Commission, 2022). The Pedagogical Development Programme supports teachers and in developing pedagogical expertise, at different stages of their careers, guided by four below mentioned principles.

Learning Orientation – Growth Mindset

This principle emphasises student-centred, competence-based learning, where students actively build knowledge and develop expertise. Teachers design and assess learning in diverse environments, acting as facilitators. TAMK promotes this through varied learning environments, including workplaces and global contexts, supported by digital tools. (Ruhalahti & Tapani, 2023).

Participatory Learning Communities – A Sense of Belonging

Learning is seen as a social process involving collaboration, inclusivity, and shared goals. TAMK fosters diverse, accessible environments for co-creation and learning. Teachers are seen as facilitators of community building and participation, using dialogical and collaborative methods. Key elements include cultural awareness, ethics, collaborative, and participatory learning (Tapani & Ruhalahti, 2023).

Expertise in Working Life Development – Applied Excellence

TAMK prepares students for evolving workforce demands by integrating real-world scenarios and industry collaboration into teaching. This principle encourages active engagement with working life to ensure students gain relevant, applicable skills (Tapani et al., 2023).

Sustainable Future – Learning for Sustainability

Students are equipped to understand complex global challenges and contribute to sustainability transformations. TAMK integrates sustainability across its pedagogical practices, empowering students to act as responsible professionals and citizens. In the future, sustainability will increasingly be at the heart of education and educational development.

Digital open badges constellation.

In sum

TAMK’s pedagogical development programme enhances higher education quality and supports staff growth. Each pedagogical principle is linked to a metabadge, earned through smaller micro-badges. By focusing on learner-centredness, inclusivity, workplace relevance, and sustainability, TAMK steers in pedagogical innovation. The use of digital open badges as microcredentials and competence-based professional development is a key component of this programme, providing a flexible and effective way to recognise and promote pedagogical competences.

Resources:

European Commission (2022). Proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:770:FIN

Ilola, H., Ruhalahti, S. & Tapani, A. (2022). TAMK vahvistaa pedagogisen osaamisen askelmerkkejä [TAMK strengthens the stepping stones of pedagogical competence]. https://blogs.tuni.fi/tamkblogi/teema2/tamk-vahvistaa-pedagogisen-osaamisen-askelmerkkeja/

Ruhalahti, S. & Tapani, A. (2023). Oppimislähtöisyys osana pedagogisen osaamisen kehittymistä TAMKissa [Learning orientation as part of the development of pedagogical competence at TAMK]. https://blogs.tuni.fi/tamkblogi/opetus/oppimislahtoisyys-osana-pedagogisen-osaamisen-kehittymista-tamkissa/

Tapani, A. & Ruhalahti, S. (2023). Yhteisöllisyys ja osallistavuus osana pedagogisen osaamisen kehittymistä TAMKissa [Community and participatory as part of the development of pedagogical competence at TAMK]. https://blogs.tuni.fi/tamkblogi/teema2/yhteisollisyys-ja-osallistavuus-osana-pedagogisen-osaamisen-kehittymista-tamkissa/

Tapani, A., Sinkkonen, M. & Yli-Rämi, H. (2023). Työelämän kehittämisasiantuntijuus osana pedagogisen osaamisen kehittymistä TAMKissa [Work-life development expertise as part of the development of pedagogical competence at TAMK]. https://blogs.tuni.fi/tamkblogi/opetus/tyoelaman-kehittamisasiantuntijuus-osana-pedagogisen-osaamisen-kehittymista-tamkissa/

Authors:
Hanna Ilola, Dean, Pedagogical Innovations and Culture, Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Sanna Ruhalahti, Principal Lecturer | Applied Research Center, Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Annukka Tapani, Senior Lecturer | Pedagogical Innovations and Culture, Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Photo: Minttu Rantanen

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