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

UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, OPEN UNIVERSITY2

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Study guidance co-operation between two educational organizations

IAEVG Conference 2009

Riikka Hurri

Open University, University of Jyväskylä


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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


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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):• 14 000 students and 120 partner institutions every year

• Curriculums are the same as in the faculties

• Different way to organize studies: model of blended learning


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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


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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


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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


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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 e-mail, on the websites, on Moodle (online learning environment), over the phone, in personal meetings…• Responsibility: OUJ and SOFHS


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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


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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


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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


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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 e-mail

2. Support from fellow students

3. Guidance and feedback given by teachers

4. Informing on the SOFHS website

5. Major subject-spesific introduction sessions


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Student feedback / 2

■ Most important modes of guidance according to the feedback:1. Informing by e-mail

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 e-mail

■ Student feedback will be collected once a year■ The achievement of the academic learning outcomes will also

be evaluated during the study programme


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Thank you for your attention!

■ For more information:

Riikka [email protected]

www.avoin.jyu.fi/en

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