Faculty Teachers’ Didactic Skills Play an Important Role in Creating a Motivating Studying Environment

Abstract

The Department of Forest Products Technology at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) established a five-year (2002-2006) extensive collaboration project with the industry, with the objective to develop an internationally recognized, high-quality Master's programme. The main focus was in the development of teaching.

In this paper, the challenge of encouraging teachers to enhance their didactic skills is discussed based on the Department level experiences. Furthermore, the effect of an individual university teacher's role in overall participation on pedagogical training is examined.

Formal pedagogical training is not required for teaching positions at TKK but nowadays while recruiting new teaching personnel teaching skills will be taken into consideration. Because of this and because of the Development project participation to the voluntary pedagogical training has increased during last six years.

In the question of pedagogical training of the teaching personnel in higher education, it is not only the researchers own interest that matters. In addition, they need to be allocated enough time to complete the additional studies. Furthermore, the financing for the study time needs to be solved.

This case also illustrates that by showing a positive example, an individual researcher can have a significant impact on the overall, long-term result.