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Action plans for further development

Based on all the experiences and Good practices of the PROGRESS project all partners developed an action plan for further development of their own school. All partners were very positive about all the inspiration and ideas the project has brought them.

This is a summary of all these innovative and ambitious plans. We wish everyone every success in realizing these plans!

CIFEA de Molina de Segura

The CIFEA de Molina de Segura’s action plan is designed to address the challenges in the agricultural sector, including the need to attract young people with skills in new technologies, promote sustainability and environmental protection, and make agricultural activity more attractive for students from urban areas. The plan includes four objectives which are differentiated into four levels: regulated training, continuous training, networks and associates, and green skills development.

The first objective aims to stabilize enrolment numbers at lower EQF levels, promote gender equality in classrooms, establish an age group of students between 18-26 years, offer more online courses and activities in digital format, direct school activities to principles based on sustainability and environmental protection, and attract foreign students. In addition, the objective includes developing modular vocational education and training and attracting students from urban areas.

The second objective focuses on continuous training for adults and training for employment, aiming to increase the number of female enrolments, incorporate environmental aspects in training for adults, recognize competence units in adults, and expand the dissemination of certification processes.

The third objective aims to strengthen the development of Erasmus+ projects and participate in international cooperation projects with non-governmental organizations, develop values of social solidarity through blood donation campaigns, sensitize against gender violence, and strengthen relationships with business associations in the sector and professional agricultural organizations.

The fourth objective aims to contribute knowledge about sustainability and environmental education, develop green skills and increase technical knowledge, and improve the dissemination of training offers.

The action plan is designed to be measurable, and indicators have been defined to monitor progress towards the defined objectives.

Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Objective of the action plan: To attract new target groups, especially international students and immigrants, and equip students with the necessary skills for the changing work life.

Tasks and Activities

  • Marketing and outreach efforts through various channels, including social media, to attract new students
  • Up-to-date and interesting study plans that follow changes in society and working life, with input from working life partners and RDI-projects
  • Creating unique and attractive facilities, such as a green campus and living labs, to appeal to students
  • Implementing different pedagogies, including day, blended, and hybrid learning, with proper tools and skills for online teaching and more interactivity in lessons
  • Motivating students through interesting lessons, assignments, and projects, as well as improving guidance and counseling services
  • Focusing on practical training periods and developing practical skills, and improving the skills of teachers and RDI staff
  • Ensuring quality in all aspects of the education program.

Green Academy

The Green Academy in Denmark has developed an action plan to anchor the results of the Progress project over the past three years within the organization. The main objective is to focus on primary school pupils who are considering choosing an ordinary high school and show them the benefits of the vocational upper secondary education (EUX).

The academy aims to attract approximately 90 students directly from primary school, with at least 30 of them choosing the vocational upper secondary education. Additionally, they plan to maintain the annual intake of students who do not come directly from primary school at around 200-220 students.

The academy intends to achieve these objectives by involving as many students, teachers, and staff as possible in different projects, both at the national and international level. They are working closely with different stakeholders such as government representatives and small-medium enterprises to create a synergy in project management. The academy is also focusing on e-learning and digital projects, student mobility, and developing modern facilities with a focus on sustainability.

Yuverta

Yuverta is the largest secondary and vocational trainer in Europe in the blue-green domain, with 36 secondary schools, 20 VET locations, and thousands of professionals trained every year. The institution’s mission is to train people for a profession in the blue-green domain and for an independent existence in society, specifically for tasks such as making agriculture more sustainable, improving biodiversity and nature, animal welfare, sustainable urbanization, health and lifestyle, increasing the quality of water and water management, reducing waste flows, energy transition, and climate. Yuverta aims to actively contribute to a sustainable world and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Yuverta faces the challenge of attracting new target groups, particularly in urban areas, to its green education programs. The institution plans to achieve this by changing its image from agricultural education to a school with a broad offering on topics that are interesting and important to students from this decade, topics that can lead to meaningful careers and a better life for all.

To achieve its objectives, Yuverta has set overall goals, such as 80% of Yuverta’s stakeholders taking part in the realization of at least four SDGs within their region, and the integration of SDGs in all curricula to the experience of 80% of all its students and other stakeholders. The institution has also created an impact strategy on sustainability by breaking down the broad theme into smaller parts, so everyone can oversee and play a part.

Terra

Terra, an organization that has organized itself into a team-centered approach, wants to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its curricula and pedagogy, by installing a practorate called ‘Entrepreneurial learning with and from the SDG goals’. The primary goal of the practorate is to provide inclusive and high-quality education while striving for equal opportunities for lifelong learning for all, in connection with the regional environment, in line with SDG 4.

The practorate aims to conduct research using the ‘whole school approach for sustainable development’ and investigate how the SDGs can be incorporated into the curricula, pedagogy, and didactics of the institutions so that every student can gain experience with and knowledge about them. The research also focuses on how business operations, professionalization, and the environment of the institutions can create a learning climate to achieve this goal. The practorate hopes to attract another category of students who were not previously interested in green education by collaborating with a grey education institute.

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Countries Finland Marketing & Communication

Info magazine OPINPOLKU for marketing agricultural schools

A colorful attractive magazine is a good way to communicate about all the different school options in a region. You can rerach a large public by sending it with the most popular national or regional newspaper. This was the approach of Savonia university in Finland.

The magazine was published with newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus. Maaseudun Tulevaisuus. This is the 3rd popular newspaper in Finland and it is published by The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK).

There were 44 pages, where 20 different vocational schools introduced their schools and studies.  In the magazine was also an article written by Antti Kurvinen,  Minister of Agricultulture and Forestry.

The magazine was published just before the students had to apply to their studies beginning next autumn.

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Countries Curriculum & Program Finland

Practical training at Savonia

Students from Savonia university has to do practical training at a farm or company for 90 days during the summer period after their first year studies. The content of placement: 1/3 crop production work, 1/3 animal husbandry work and 1/3 other work (for example forestry work, agricultural fair‐ visit, painting, fence repair)

The following requirements are imposed on the farm or company

  • Production should be large enough and developing;
  • There should be versatile work available;
  • Work safety and health should be in order;
  • Supervisor of the training should have agricultural; education and interest to teach and guide the trainee;
  • The farm should support learning and social development!
  • Salary/payment for student?

The application of companies/farms include:

  • Contact information;
  • Production, arable land, plant production, forestry;
  • Information about livestock, machinery, buildings, use of contractor;
  • Education, guidance, accommodation and meals, what kind of work available;
  • After improvement a contract is signed between Savonia and the farm/company for one or several years;
  • Placements are registered

The agreement between student and company includes:

  • Name of the company, name of the trainee;
  • What kind of work the trainee will do (plant production, livestock, other work, workload;
  • Accommodation, meals, payment, working period and working days);
  • The farmers commitment of guidance and give the information for the written tasks of training.

Preparation of Student’s placement

  • Second year students will present their placement experiences to the first‐year students;
  • They check the list of the companies;
  • Can go for pre‐training period to the farm (1‐2 weeks);
  • Have a short conversation with their teacher /supervisor about the placement and personal aims of their practical training;
  • Evaluation if the farm or company is suitable for their aims;
  • Make their own targets of the placement;
  • Write a CV and a motivation letter to the farm/company;
  • Contact and visit the farm /company;
  • Take part in preparation lessons about work/ labor legislation, work safety, protection against animal diseases and instructions for the written tasks of training.

Preparation of company of the placement

Information to the farms/companies will be sent by email before placement, and its content is:

  • Curriculum of the education;
  • Content and the purpose of the placement;
  • Labor legislation;
  • Assessment: include criteria, certificate to be full filled contract of employment to be full filled;
  • The length of placement is 90 working days (8 hours/day) during 5 months period (May‐ September);
  • The content of placement: 1/3 crop production work, 1/3 animal husbandry work and 1/3 other work (for example forestry work, agricultural fair‐ visit, painting, fence repair).

Responsibilities during the placement

After placement

  • Student finalizes written tasks in Moodle
  • Give feedback about the placement
  • Introduce his/her experiences, learning and the farm
  • company in seminar for the first‐year student


Categories
Countries Finland Vision & Ambition

Savonia university and Climate security

Jyri Wuorisalo, RDI Adviser in Human Security and Climate Security at Savonia University of applied science presented the vision of Savonia about climate security.

The awareness is increasing that humanity stands at a crossroads with regard to the legacy we wish to leave to future generations. Now is time to reform the story of mankind by creating a link between civilization and sustainable development. Other wise we will be we are swamped by some very big waves: the effects of COVID is small compared to climate change and the collapse of biodiversity. Just look at the IPCC report about climate change 2022 and there is only one conclusion possible: we have to act now!

Savonia’s strategy 2021-2030 is in line with this urgency. They want to be the most socially responsible and influential university of applied sciences through

  • co-development in education and RDI-activities,
  • maintaining a network and hub enhancing the competence network of business,
  • renewing their expertise through international activities,
  • being meaningful and productive and
  • taking care of the Students’ wellbeing by supporting the growth of tomorrow’s professionals.   

This strategy is realised through cooperation in several networks. For example the Human Security network in which human protection and empowerment are the main goals, the SDG are the central focus and the principles to leave no one behind and do no harm are important.  Another example is regional cooperation in which partners are working together on a roadmap to a carbon neutral Pohjois-Savo region.

Cooperation in national and international projects is also important for their strategy. PROGRESS is a good example of such a project in which partners learn together to grow towards a future proof sustainable school that is attractive for students.

Climate security is also implemented in the curriculum with a Master’s degree diploma Climate security with the following subjects: Climate security essentials, Health, Technology and Agriculture.

Are you interested in the PowerPoint upon which this blog pots is based? You can open it through this link.

Categories
Countries Finland Professional Development

E-learning at Savonia in Finland

Senior Lecturer in Business Economics and E-learning expert Hannu Viitala at Savonia university in Finland inspired the PROGRESS-parteners with his inspiration ideas and good practices in the field of E-learning.

Savonia teachers use all kinds of online tools during their lessons and COVID naturally enhanced their use but teachers were already used of using them. Tools like Microsoft teams, Moodle, Padlet, Exam and much more. But the pedagogy the teacher uses using these tools is far more important. It is not only about online learning but hybrid blended learning in which face-to-face learning is combined with online learning. At Savonia every class is a hybrid class.

Online learning is important for students and teachers. For students online tools are reasonable, motivational and practical that will also be important for their working life. Online tools make life easier for teachers and improve the quality of teaching.  Working life need employees who are willing and able to learn new things!

All Savonia courses are available in Moodle and teachers are trained to develop the courses by themselves. The analytics functions of Moodle are used to evaluate and improve the course. That is the normal way of doing things at Savonia. To make it more attractive students also have entrance to a video lecture library.

Are you interested in the PowerPoint upon which this blog pots is based? You can open it through this link.

Categories
Countries Finland Professional Development

Professional development of teachers

The Whole School Approach to sustainable development contains different fields of change that should be addressed to grow as a sustainable school. Professional development is one of these and this was the central focus of our project meeting in Finland last June.

As introduction Hilda Weges from the Dutch partner INTREEGUE presented some inspirational ideas and good practices of professionalization of Dutch VET-schools. Her main message: teachers should not only present and tell about sustainable practices but also need to act and show it themselves in their own behaviour. And that is why professionalisation of teachers and practice coaches is so important! They don’t learn it by themselves.

To realise the Sustainable goals also means that we have to change our behaviour. New competences and skills are therefor needed to realise these goals. The partners of In the European Inner Development Goals project have thought about these new skills. In this Inner Development Goals film  you will learn more about these goals.

VET-schools in the Netherlands have different kinds of strategies and organise all kinds of activities to teach their  teachers these new kind of skills and let them learn about sustainability and latest  developments at the labour market.

First of all it is important as school to develop a vision and strategy about professional development of teachers and practical coaches to make sure that these activities are not short term projects but really imbedded in the school organisation and planning.

In line with the vision and strategy schools can think of the following actions and measures:

  • Set up a Manifest Sustainable Knowledge Sharing in which the principles for sustainable development and sharing of knowledge are described.
  • Set up a professionalization cycle: intake training needs, discussing interim results and adjustment on the way.
  • Set up an online expert platform where teacher can share knowledge and ideas. E.g through Microsoft Teams, LinkedInn or….
  • Add ‘Learning for sustainable development’, the SDGs, the Inner Development Goals into your professional development program and make them compulsory for new teachers.
  • Set up an intervision group with professionals, managers, or other employees who share a common challenge or problem and find solutions together.
  • Encourage teachers to participate in symposia, workshops and masterclasses in sustainability that are offered by third parties.
  • Start Learning Labs for Sustainable development for teachers to inspire them to set up new teaching and didactical methods.
  • Organise expeditions to innovative sustainable locations and businesses. Encourage teachers to do an internship at innovative sustainable businesses.
  • Organise Green Ted talks during lunchtime.
  • Send Inspirational mailings with good practices on regular basis.

Are you interested to use the presentation. It can be downloaded here.

[Picture Pixabay – Gerd Altmann]

Categories
Countries Finland School Environment

Rural Professions Assocation Maaseutu ammattiin in Finland

The Rural professions association Maaseutu ammattiin is a long term cooperation between schools (primary, secondary and vet-schools), green sector companies and municipalities in the agricultural sector.

Aim of the association is to promote the availability of new entrepreneurs and skilled professionals for forestry and agriculture as well as to increase the awareness and networking of the field.

Association Maaseutu ammattiin is organizing visits for the students of secondary schools. Mostly pupils who are 7th, 8th and 9th grade. Visits are to the farms, green houses, forest, companies etc. The purpose is to show what kind of professionals are working on the countryside. And also to give the pupils opportunity to try if our educations are for them. Also teachers belong to the target group.

This association has worked for 10 years. By doing this, pupils get realistic view of modern farms and other possibilities to work on the countryside. This association is working now just in Northern Savo but also other areas are interested in their work. Spreading to other areas?

The results of this ccoperation is that the schools gets more and more motivated students

Go to their website (in Finnish):

https://www.maaseutuammattiin.fi/

For inspirational video’s go to:

https://www.maaseutuammattiin.fi/videot

Categories
Countries Curriculum & Program Finland

MultiPro Module in Finland

MultiPro is an international Bachelor level multidisciplinary study module at Iisalmi campus of Savonia University of Applied Sciences Ltd in Finland. It offers lectures, teamwork, eLearning, traineeship and project studies. The module is especially developed for bachelor exchange students in Social Services, Nursing and Agriculture from Savonia partner universities.  More specific information and a nice video about MultiPro can be found through the following link: MultiPro.

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