Finland - Jyvaskyla Region - Final Self-Evaluation Report.pdf

education programmes consisting of 20–40 credits, which can be completed in 1-2 years while working (911students in 2004). Participation in these specialization studies maintains the professional competitiveness ofthe participants, at the same time as deepening and widening their skills and scope of activity as well as thoseof the work community. The studies are open to everyone with a college or higher education degree, orextensive knowledge and skills obtained through practical experience. The specialization studies, or sectionsof them, can later be included in a polytechnic Master’s degree, although this is always subject to theagreement of the polytechnic organising the degree. The volume of professional continuing education islargest in the fields of Health and Social Studies and Business. The Jyväskylä Polytechnic also providesdegree programmes for adults in certain fields (683 students in 2004). These flexible programmes areprimarily designed for those having earlier education or experience of work in the field of question.For the future, it would be essential to primarily organize the continuing education in the region of Jyväskyläwithin both of the higher education institutions separately, and subsequently with cooperation between them.It is particularly important to coordinate the use of experts and instructors in this process, so that bothinstitutions can profit from their expertise and develop cooperation in the provision of courses and thecreation of networks. One way to proceed could also be through building continuing education under thesame unit or network. This might allow the most effective channel to meet the educational needs of firms andother organizations.The cooperation between the HEIs and regional employers is also of vital importance in the effectiveprovision of lifelong learning. The role of regional intermediate organizations, as an actor that coordinatesthe information chain between firms and other organizations and the HEIs, might be useful. This need isalready recognized by the Jyväskylä Regional Development Company, although the division of work in theinformation transfer process is not sufficiently clear.5.5 Changing forms of educational provisionThere are a number of different arrangements in higher education studies, such as multiform teaching, whichmay include contact teaching, distance learning, and independent studies. Contact teaching most often comesin the form of lectures, practicum, or seminars. In addition, teaching can be given through the Internet asvirtual instruction.Online learning is a new alternative mode of study and something that is becoming an integral part ofFinnish higher education. Its implementation is fixed to a certain schedule, but there is, at least to a certainextent, freedom to decide when to study. Studying online allows also students to decide where to study, aslong as they have access to the Internet. Thus, online learning increases flexibility in the provision of studiesand allows the teachers/programmes to reach a larger number of potential students. These onlineopportunities are particularly useful in the provision of adult education.The Jyväskylä Polytechnic is active in expanding the possibilities of virtual learning and the development ofvirtual studies has been selected as one of the indicators of internal change. The Polytechnic’s staff is trainedto design and implement online courses. All of the schools offer at least parts of their courses online.Furthermore, the Jyväskylä Polytechnic belongs to the national cooperation network of the VirtualPolytechnic. The units participate in the production rings of the Virtual Polytechnic, and the provision ofonline courses is continually increasing. The role of virtual studies is highlighted, particularly, in theVocational Teacher Education College, School of Health and Social Studies, and the School of Business.The number of completed virtual studies has annually increased by approximately 25%, and in 2004, nearly15 200 ECTS credits were completed virtually.The University of Jyväskylä attaches an increasing significance to the provision of virtual learning and offersICT education for teachers. The Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Education have prepared strategies forthe use of information and communication technology. The Open University of Jyväskylä is activelydeveloping its virtual learning possibilities and it has widely integrated also the other tools of new teachingtechnology in its operation. The versatile tools of study available contribute to the educational equality. TheVAINU-system (virtual application of study and career planning) developed by the Open University is ratherunique kind of data bank designed to tutoring of students.74