Greetings from ADF Opefoorumi,
We have good news in the teaching development front. After receiving several nominations, the Teaching Act of the Spring 2011 winners were selected at the ADF Opefoorumi meeting last Monday 18.4.2011 at Aalto Design Factory. The nominees were divided into three categories: Student feedback, co-development, and development activeness.
The winner of the student feedback category was Mikko Jääskeläinen and his course Shaping Institutions. As one of Mikko’s students described the course: “I believe that Shaping Institutions gives the first parts of a tool-set needed to actually implement the know-how gained from several years at university. Organizations need people that not only know what should be done but also know how to communicate this message and get it past the resistance that rigid institutions always demonstrate. Courses like this help in reaching that goal.”
The winner of the co-development category was Harri Hakula, who teaches tailor-made mathematics courses for the Department of Bioproduct Technology. The arrangement enables smaller study groups and more subject specific exercises. In his speach, Harri emphasized the meaning of student learning versus just completing the courses without actually learning anything. With personalized mathematics courses, the learning of the students can be observed more efficiently, and the courses can be continuously adapted, and applied to larger courses as well, answering to student needs.
Finally, the winner of the Teaching Act of the Spring 2011 in the category of development activeness was a group of study administration personnel, including Eija Zitting, Annika Mauno and Anna Mäkilä. While study administration in general was somewhat critized for its inflexibility, the winners represent a new approach to pedagogical development that is active, 110 percent committed, and willing to make a difference. In their speach, the winners expressed their gratitude towards the teachers at the Department of Chemistry, and were determined to continue their exemplary work in the future as well.
Congratulations to all of our winners and nominees! Hope to see you all at the next ADF Opefoorumi meeting on 16.5.2011 at the Aalto Design Factory!
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