Nordic and International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

Se studieprogram

The course is designed for international and local primary teacher education students, kindergarten teacher education students and students of related study programmes. 

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, 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 experiential learning. Students are strongly involved in shaping the learning process, with an emphasis on student knowledge and experience. The programme includes a period of supervised professional training 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 to education, teaching and learning

knowledge about ethical questions concerning relations between human and nature and sustainable development

knowledge about view of children and childhood in different educational systems

knowledge about pedagogical leadership as a positional and distributed phenomena in the context of Norwegian early childhood education (ECE) and primary school

knowledge about different outdoor learning arenas and the tradition of friluftsliv

knowledge about the region's Sámi population today and in the past

knowledge about the region of Trøndelag's wildlife and issues related to sustainability and the environment

Skills. Upon completion, the student should be able to:

identify, compare and contrast attitudes and ethical questions to childhood, teaching and learning in own culture and other cultures

describe the position of the Sámi population in Central Scandinavia

describe and explain issues related to sustainability

master some skills related to outdoor activities and friluftsliv

organize outdoor related learning activities for children in kindergarten or school

plan, carry out and evaluate practice teaching in accordance with practice supervisor

apply relevant research about teachers’ and kindergarten teachers’ leadership with children, and the leadership of schools and kindergartens, in their own practical and theoretical reflections.

General competence. Upon completion, the student will:

acknowledge the importance of sustainable development

acknowledge the value of ethical and responsible attitudes towards nature

acknowledge the value of ethical, responsible and respectful attitudes towards children

acknowledge the value of intercultural understanding

acknowledge the value of outdoor learning and friluftsliv in education

be able to reflect upon one's own culture and other cultures' perspectives on teaching and learning

Exchange students are admitted on the basis of nomination by their home institution. This means that you will have to apply to your home university first to participate. Your home institution will provide you with information about the admission requirements.

Certificate of Good Conduct / Criminal Records Certificate from home country / country of permanent residence.

Places on the course are limited.

Half of the places are reserved for students of Nord University. If the number of international applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked according to the following selection criteria:

  1. students from institutions holding a student exchange agreement with Nord University
  2. students enrolled in teacher education and pre-school education programmes
  3. applicants who are fluent in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, and therefor are eligable for a wide selection of Norwegian taught courses, will not be prioritized
  4. group diversity: geographical spread
Teacher education students benefit from diverse and practical learning activities, which are aimed at developing knowledge and skills that will be valued in the workplace.
Contact the international coordinator at your home institution, or at Nord University: for more information about exchange to Nord University.

Semesteravgift og pensumlitteratur.

Det forutsettes at studenten disponerer en bærbar datamaskin.

Utenlandspraksis for norske studenter: kostnader knyttet til reise- og opphold.

Compound assessment (SV):
  • Take-home examination (HJ/H), 3 days. Comprises 100/100 of the grade, grading scale A-F.
  • Compulsory attendance (OD). Minimum 80 % attendance (OD) in lectures, seminars, excursions and other planned learning activities. Active participation and cooperation between students is essential for attaining the skills and competencies described in the learning outcomes. Comprises 0/100 of the grade. Grading scale approved/ not approved
  • Professional practice (PR). 10 days professional practice in school, kindergarten or other relevant institution. Comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale passed/not passed
  • Assessment tasks (AK), comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale approved/ not approved
    1. Reflection task: approved/ not approved
    2. Placement report, written text: approved/ not approved
    3. Oral presentation in praxis seminar: approved/ not approved

Studieprogrammet evalueres årlig av studentene gjennom emneevalueringer og studieprogramevaluering.

Evalueringene inngår som en del av universitetets kvalitetssikringssystem.

The programme includes a period of supervised professional training at a kindergarten or primary/lower secondary school in Norway (international students) or abroad (Norwegian students).