Nordic and International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
The 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.
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.
The applicant must
- Provide a letter of confirmation from their home university that the student has a valid police clearance/document of good conduct which states that the student is allowed to work with children.
Places on the course are limited.
Half of the places are reserved for students of Nord University, enrolled in
- Bachelor programme Kindergarten Teacher Education, as elective course: specialization. Access regulation: 60 ECTS after completing two years of the study programme, and passed the supervised professional training courses during the 2nd year of study.
If the number of international applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked according to the following selection criteria:
- students from institutions holding a student exchange agreement with Nord University
- students enrolled in teacher education and pre-school education programmes
- 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
- group diversity: geographical spread
Intermediate level in English.
Updated Certificate of Good Conduct / Criminal Records Certificate issued by local police authority.
Places on the course are limited. Half of the places are reserved for students of Nord University who are enrolled in the programmes Pre-School Teacher Education and Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education. For international teacher students, pre-school teacher students and students of related study programmes, priority is given to students from partner institutions. We give high priority to the diversity of the group, using geographical spread as selection criteria if the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available.
Areas of knowledge
The students will have:
- knowledge about contrastive elements in attitudes to 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 in the past
- 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
The student should be able to:
- identify, compare and contrast attitudes to childhood, teaching and learning in 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 some skills related to outdoor activities
- organize outdoor related activities for pre-school children or pupils
- plan, carry out and evaluate practice teaching in chosen subjects in accordance with practice supervisor
- understand simple Norwegian texts and communicate orally in basic Norwegian
General competence
The students will:
- acknowledge the importance of sustainable education
- acknowledge the value of ethical and responsible attitudes towards nature
- acknowledge the value of intercultural understanding
- acknowledge the value of outdoor education
- be able to reflect upon one's own culture and other cultures' perspectives on teaching and learning
No tuition fees.
Semester fee: All students studying at Nord University, except ERASMUS Plus students and exchange students from other partner institutions, must pay the semester fee.
Cost of course literature apply.
Placement abroad for Norwegian students: Travel expenses and living costs apply.
Teaching will be organized in different ways. These will include lectures, discussions, group work, student presentations in seminars and field excursions. The main idea is that the learning process will be based on student activity, using methods like "inquiry based learning" and "cooperative learning". The students will be strongly involved in the learning process and their knowledge and experience will be acknowledged and integrated in the study. Active participation and cooperation between students is essential for attaining the skills and competencies described in the learning outcomes.
The language of the course is English. The main channel of communication and contact between students and the academic staff is the current e-learning platform used at Nord University.
For the Norwegian students of 3BLU: Participation in ¿Barn i sorg og krise¿ (cf. study plan of Yrkesetisk dannelse, Professional Ethics Education)
Compound assessment (SV):
- 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
- Reflection task: approved/ not approved
- Placement report, written text: approved/ not approved
- Oral presentation: approved/ not approved
- Take-home examination (HJ/H), 3 days. Individual. Comprises 100/100 of the grade, grading scale A-F.