Pre-Conference Workshop A3
A3 - Empowering University Teachers in the Digital Age: Leaving No One Behind
Date Wednesday, Nov 27 Time – Price: 95.00 € Status: places available
Workshop leader
Vesa Paajanen
Senior Lecturer, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Vesa Paajanen is a senior lecturer in animal physiology. In current position as a facilitator of online and blended learning at University of Eastern Finland he is using 50% of the working load on teaching higher education and rest time helping his colleagues to turn their teaching online and to develop pedagogically useful online learning environments. In higher education his is focused in Flipped Classroom & learning analytics to support each student in a personal way.
Speakers
Kati Kasanen
Senior Lecturer, University of Eastern Finland
Kati’s responsibilities as a senior lecturer primarily revolve around teaching and guidance, with a particular focus on initial guidance and planning for university studies throughout the entire academic journey. Kati actively contributes to pedagogical development in her daily teaching practice and is a member of the UEF’s “Excellent Teaching Practitioner” network. Additionally, from 2021 to 2024, Kati dedicates 50% of her time to facilitating online pedagogy.
In terms of research, Kati’s interests intersect with the concept of ability. She specializes in evaluating educational practices and conducts socio-psychological and educational policy analyses related to abilities, including entrepreneurial abilities, within the context of education. Drawing from her prior work experience, Kati recognizes the importance of the ability concept, particularly in school and educational psychology. Recently, she has also explored multidisciplinary approaches in research and teaching across different faculties. Her facilitator role has sparked an interest in distance learning and related issues, such as exam practices and trust. Also, Kati and the facilitator team studies their own work and its impact. Let's meet and discuss these matters together!
Links
Sanni Pirttilä
University teacher, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Sanni Pirttilä works at the University of Eastern Finland as a university teacher in the Deparment of Geographical and Historical Studies, and also she serves as a Facilitator for Online and Blended Pedagogy in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies.
Piia Siitonen
University teacher, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
This half-day pre-session workshop addresses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to digital learning environments in higher education. Drawing from the University of Eastern Finland's experience, where peer-support facilitators have been instrumental in promoting online and blended learning, the workshop will showcase effective practices to encourage digital adoption. Participants will engage in round-table discussions to share experiences and explore solutions to support teachers hesitant about digital pedagogy. The session aims to equip educators with strategies to enhance teaching resilience and adaptability, ensuring equitable and accessible learning opportunities.
Agenda:
• Introduction/Welcome
• Part 1: Presentation on Experiences
• 30 min: Coffee Break
• Part 2: Comparison of Support Practices
• Part 3: Session to compare the practices of support used in different institutes
• Wrap-up
Outcomes:
• Learn how peer-support can assist teachers in higher education to effectively integrate digital technology.
• Share models of pedagogical support and discuss potential pitfalls related to their implementation.
• Understand the challenges faced by teachers in higher education who struggle to adopt digital teaching methods and acquire tools to mitigate these obstacles in online and blended learning environments.
Audience:
Practitioning teachers, department and faculty level leadership, employers developing support for online teaching at the institutional level.