UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Study guidance co-operation between two educational organizations IAEVG Conference 2009 Riikka Hurri Open University, University of Jyväskylä

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Focus of this presentation ■Co-operation project between the Open University of the University of Jyväskylä (OUJ) and the South Ostrobothnia Folk High School (SOFHS) Degree-oriented Open University study programme at SOFHS Aim of the project: to raise the educational level at the South Ostrobothnia region in western Finland Project is funded by the Finnish National Board of Education New model of co-operation SOFHS has been OUJ´s partner institution for nearly 20 years ■One challenge in this project: To create a new model of study guidance for degree-oriented Open University (OU) students studying outside the traditional university campus area

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Background: Open University in Finland / 1 ■OU studies are organized by 19 Finnish Universities Ministry of Education: legislation and general guidance ■Target: to increase educational equality Free entry regardless of age and educational background Regional equality: co-operation with educational partner institutions which organize OU studies nationwide ■Open University of the University of Jyväskylä (OUJ): students and 120 partner institutions every year Curriculums are the same as in the faculties Different way to organize studies: model of blended learning

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Background: Open University in Finland / 2 ■Students at OUs cannot take university degrees ■However, all the studies studied and the credits earned at the OU can be included in the university degree ■Possibility to apply for admission to the University through the “Open University channel” without an entrance examination

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Degree-oriented OU study programme at the SOFHS ■Started in autumn 2008 with 26 part-time adult students ■Students’ goal is to take a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS cr) in 3 to 5 years by studying as much studies as possible in Open University ■3 major subjects: Organizational Communication and PR Health Promotion and Health Education Creative Writing ■Main aims of study guidance in this study programme: To support students to achieve the learning outcomes set for Bachelor’s degree (Government Decree on University Degrees) To support students’ academic growth outside the traditional university campus area and academic community

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Model of study guidance ■Main modes of guidance at the beginning of the study programme: Introduction sessions Tutoring Personal study plans (PSPs) ■Guidance responsibility has been divided between OUJ and SOFHS

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Modes of guidance: introduction sessions ■Subject-spesific introduction sessions Contents: aims, contents and study methods of the studies, studying at the SOFHS Responsibility: SOFHS ■Joint introduction session Contents: character of university studies, degree structures, academic learning outcomes set for Bachelor’s degree, applying to university Responsibility: OUJ ■After these sessions informing and advising by , on the websites, on Moodle (online learning environment), over the phone, in personal meetings… Responsibility: OUJ and SOFHS

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Modes of guidance: tutoring ■Major subject-spesific teacher-tutors ■Personal guidance conversations between a student and a tutor 2 conversations during the first academic year ■Group guidance provided by tutors Several group meetings during the first academic year ■Responsibility: SOFHS

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Modes of guidance: personal study plan / 1 ■Students filled up personal study plans (PSPs) Electronic PSP-form on the web Feedback given electronically by OUJs study counsellor Discussed in personal conversations with major-spesific tutors ■Responsibility: OUJ and SOFHS

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Modes of guidance: personal study plan / 2 ■In the PSP student… selected and timetabled the studies needed for the Bachelor’s degree according to the current degree requirements reflected on the development of her own academic expertise Wide know-how and skills in applying discipline-specific knowledge ICT skills and skills in acquisition of information Language and communication skills Internationalization Other academic (meta)competences reflected on herself as a learner and her metacognitive skills ■PSPs will be revised and added to during the studies

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Student feedback / 1 ■Student feedback concerning the guidance given during the first academic year was collected in April 2009 Web-based feedback questionnaire ■Most effective modes of guidance according to the feedback: 1.Informing by 2.Support from fellow students 3.Guidance and feedback given by teachers 4.Informing on the SOFHS website 5.Major subject-spesific introduction sessions

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Student feedback / 2 ■Most important modes of guidance according to the feedback: 1.Informing by 2.Guidance and feedback given by teachers 3.Support from fellow students 4.Major subject-spesific introduction sessions 5.Group guidance provided by tutors ■In the future students would like to have guidance mainly in personal meetings and by ■Student feedback will be collected once a year ■The achievement of the academic learning outcomes will also be evaluated during the study programme

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY 2009 Thank you for your attention! ■For more information: Riikka Hurri