Lifewide Learning
Aalto University Lifewide Learning helps you develop your skills in an ever-changing environment.
From coffee rooms to big crowds – Discussion is important in developing new lifewide learning content in Aalto
Craig Carlson is an engineer, researcher, and teacher whose work involves developing new things, often using existing technologies. In his current role at Aalto, he is embarking on something new: this time, instead of technologies and devices, he is developing educational content for the target audience of lifewide learning, such as adult learners in working life.
Craig Carlson began his position at Aalto University's Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation in early 2024. His recruitment was not quite typical, as part of his responsibilities is related to the development of lifewide learning and is funded by seed funding intended for any school or department at Aalto to apply for.
The path to Aalto was not entirely straightforward. Carlson is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he pursued his master's and doctoral degrees. Before starting his doctorate, Carlson worked in the industry for several years, until he grew tired of his role and returned to academia.
Upon returning to university, Carlson started discussing with his colleague Michiel Postema, and, somewhat unexpectedly, his interest in tattoos became the topic of his dissertation.
"He had an interest in ultrasound and I have a rather obvious interest in tattoos so he started to think about the opportunities that exist between them. This eventually led to the formulation of my dissertation topic, which looked at the effects of ultrasound on tattoo inks and the effect of tattoos on medical ultrasound images."
Ultrasound is primarily used in medicine for diagnostic purposes, but Carlson's interest in ultrasound extends to its other applications. According to him, ultrasound is commonly associated with examining a fetus in a pregnant person's uterus. "And that's what it's used for most of the time; that's what the device is intended for. But that's boring. What else can we do with it—without altering the machine—to expand its usefulness?"
Craig CarlsonI'm trying to help teachers identify that it might be beneficial to turn this into a course and offer it as part of lifewide learning.
It can all start with a coffee room conversation
Although Craig Carlson is not currently actively working as a researcher, his current work involves refining existing concepts for new purposes. Currently, Carlson's role is to identify potential lifewide learning content in the School of Electrical Engineering and act as a liaison between the teachers of the subjects and the lifewide learning team.
"I'm trying to help identify that it might be beneficial to turn this into a course that can be offered as part of lifewide learning, so that the upskilling is not just at degree level, but also for people who are already in industry and may not have that background."
According to Carlson, discussions are important, as through teachers' business contacts, it can be determined if the subjects being taught align with the skills needed in companies. "Essentially, it's chit-chat with the teachers. I might bump into them in the coffee room, start a conversation, and try to find out what they’re busy teaching and who their company collaborations are."
Overall, Carlson believes it is important to understand the market, where people seeking further education may not necessarily have the same background or needs as degree students. Collaboration and interaction are needed between teachers, the lifewide learning team, and ultimately the customer, to ensure that learning content meets the changing needs of the workplace.
"Because if it is just developed blind—well, it may be a success or it might not," Carlson remarks.
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Lifewide learning seed funding
Seed funding is available to support lifewide learning projects and faculty recruitment in Aalto University schools and departments.
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