1. w w w. a o k k. f i Finland HAMK University of Applied Sciences, Vocational Teacher Education Unit

2. w w w. a o k k. f i FINLAND in EUROPE EuroCurrency Evangelic-Lutheran 85%, Orthodox 1% Religion 100%Literacy level Since 1995Member of EU Ms Tarja Halonen (since March 2000) President Parliamentary republic since 1917 Form of government Finnish (93%), Swedish (6%) Official languages Helsinki (ca 560,000 inhabitants) Capital 528 kmMax. breadth 1140 kmMax. length 338,144 km 2 Total area 17 inhabitants/km 2 Average population density 5.3 millionPopulation

3. w w w. a o k k. f i System Vocational Teacher Education is high-level education for adults who have an adequate educational and vocational basis. A higher vocational diploma Three years work experience The education encompasses 60 ECTS Studies can be taken either as full-time studies in one year or as part-time while working in 1,5 years or in 2 years Diversified vocational teacher education (in 10 fields) Every student makes out a personal study plan Averige age of teacher students is about 40 VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION in FINLAND

4. w w w. a o k k. f i VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION in FINLAND Fields of Vocational Education Culture Natural resources and the Environment Natural Sciences Social Sciences Business and Administration Social Services Health and Sports Technology Communication and Transport Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services

5. w w w. a o k k. f i VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION at HAMK Hämeenlinna www.hamk.fi/aokk

6. w w w. a o k k. f i VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION at HAMK Founded in 1959 The largest vocational teacher education unit in Finland Programmes Vocational teacher education (60 ECTS) Driving instructor education (100 ECTS) (the only one in Finland) Special needs teacher education* (60 ECTS) Guidance counsellor education* (60 ECTS) *For admission into the these two programmes the applicants need to have teacher qualifications. Number of students appr. 1000 Number of staff about 80

7. w w w. a o k k. f i VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION at HAMK The studies at HAMK comprise the following elements: Pedagogigal studies (12 ECTS) Vocational pedagogy (26 ECTS) Teaching practice (14 ECTS) Thesis (8 ECTS) The vocational teacher education units in Finland share the following objectives in providing teacher training: 1. Knowledge of the operating enviroment and value considerations 2. Research skills 3. Interaction skills 4. Counselling and guidance skills 5. Working community skills 6. Critical thinking skills 7. Student-focused approach 8. Innovation

8. w w w. a o k k. f i VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION at HAMK