Educational Development
The Educational Development Team (Paja) is part of the Aalto University Strategic Support for Research and Education. All activities of Aalto University are covered and the team members work at all Aalto campuses. The team promotes and implements the strategic objectives that Aalto University has set for the development of education.
The Educational Development Team works in the following areas:
- pedagogical training for Aalto University staff
- educational development projects
- support for and development of educational leadership
- support for studies and student guidance
Pedagogical training for Aalto University staff
In the training, teachers from different fields are able to develop their own work and receive additional skills allowing them to develop the teaching culture of their own science or art communities and to network with other teachers. This cooperation creates excellent opportunities for using Aalto University’s multidisciplinarity in the development of teaching.
Pedagogical studies at Aalto University are offered as a study module of 60 credits that is divided into smaller modules of 25 and 35 credits. An alternative pedagogical training programme focusing on arts, design and architecture and partially carried out in cooperation with art universities is also available. In addition to these programmes, it is also possible to complete individual courses.
Educational development projects
Paja also offers Aalto University’s teachers and degree programmes tailored guidance and support for development of teaching. The participants can draw on the expertise and resources of the development team so that they can develop their activities in an efficient and meaningful manner.
Support for educational leadership
One of the aims of the support and development for educational leadership is to emphasise the fact that educational leadership is part of academic and pedagogical leadership, to chart the competences required for this and to support the management of the university and degree programmes in setting and achieving quality objectives.
Operations focus on six areas:
- supporting educational leaders
- providing degree programmes with tailored support
- offering courses
- producing information
- cooperation within the university
- establishing cooperation networks
Support for studies and student guidance
Study psychologists provide students with counselling and support in learning, motivation, self-control, stress management and challenges related to their capacity to study. Students are offered training in such areas as study motivation and study skills and study psychologists provide both individual students and groups of students with counselling. The services are free of charge for Aalto University students. More information about the services provided by our study psychologists is available on the Into web pages (into.aalto.fi).
Study psychologists also cooperate with teachers of Aalto University. Teachers may also take optional courses in active learning and guidance as part of their pedagogical studies.
Our expertise may also be utilised at different types of development and training events. Make sure to contact us well in advance so that we can plan you a successful training event.
Newsletter
Click here to receive the Paja newsletter. The newsletter, which is published about ten times each year, provides information on current events in educational development.
