Nordic and International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
Se studieprogramThe course is designed for international and local teacher students, pre-school teacher students and students of related study programmes. For the students of Nord University the study is part of the concurrent and integrated teacher education programmes (7th term) and pre-school teacher education programme (5th term).
This is a course intended to develop knowledge about and understanding of Nordic and international perspectives on teaching and learning in nursery schools/kindergarten, primary and lower secondary education.
It has a particular emphasis on the region's geographical position and natural surroundings in terms of wildlife, environmental issues, coastal tradition and indigenous culture and how these conditions influence aspects of childhood and education. The course offers an important contrastive dimension in terms of developing awareness of own culture and other cultures' perspectives and attitudes to childhood, teaching and learning.
Our academic staff employ various teaching methods and a variety of learning activities. These include lectures, discussions, group work, student presentations in seminars and field excursions. Learning is based primarily on student activity, using methods such as "inquiry based learning" and "cooperative learning". Students are strongly involved in shaping the learning process, with an emphasis on student knowledge and experience.
Students will undertake a four-week work placement at a kindergarten or primary/lower secondary school in Norway (international students) or abroad (Norwegian students).
Knowledge
Upon completion, the student will have:
- Knowledge about contrastive elements in attitudes regarding education, teaching and learning
- Knowledge about Norway and Scandinavia (geography, history, religion and society)
- Knowledge about different outdoor learning arenas
- Knowledge about cultural artefacts, folklore and traditions in a comparative and educational perspective
- Knowledge about the region's Sámi population today and historically
- Knowledge about the region's wildlife and issues related to sustainability and the environment
- Knowledge about basic structures of the Norwegian language and some basic methodology of foreign language teaching
Skills
Upon completion, the student should be able to:
- identify, compare and contrast attitudes regarding childhood, teaching and learning in their own culture and other cultures
- describe and explain the position of the Sámi population in Central Scandinavia
- describe and explain issues related to sustainability
- master a range of skills related to outdoor activities
- organize outdoor activities for children in kindergarten and school
- plan, carry out and evaluate practice teaching in chosen subjects in consultation with a practice supervisor
- understand simple Norwegian texts and communicate orally in basic Norwegian
General competence
Upon completion, the student will:
- understand the importance of sustainable education
- understand the value of ethical and responsible attitudes towards nature
- understand the value of intercultural understanding
- understand the value of outdoor education
- be able to reflect upon one's own culture and other cultures' perspectives on teaching and learning