Nordic and International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

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ECTS Credits
30
Language
English
Study location
Levanger

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 for more information about exchange to Nord University.

Semester fee: All students studying at Nord University, except Erasmus+ students and exchange students from other partner institutions, must pay the semester fee.

Cost of course literature apply.

Students must provide their own PC or Mac with administrator rights, and individual hiking clothes and gear. A list of recommended basic clothing and equipment will be provided.

Placement abroad for Norwegian students: Travel expenses and living costs apply.

More information for students with citizenship outside te EU/ EEA and Switzerland: https://www.nord.no/en/study-programmes/admission/tuition-fees

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
Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central quality surveys. The evaluations form a part of the University's quality assurance system.
Refer to applicable legislation, regulations and related guidelines

Teaching practice: A four-week practice module, with 10 days in nursery schools/kindergarten, primary or lower secondary education in Norway (international students) or internationally (Norwegian students).

The teaching practice is an integrated part of the study program.