Personal Study Plan

PSP – reflections on my study plan

1  MY COMPETENCES AND VOCATIONAL TEACHERHOOD

1.1.        What are the starting points in my vocational teacher-hood? -Reflect on your previous strengths and your previous competences.

I would like to say that I had some teaching experience but that would not count as vocational teacher-hood. I had the opportunity to teach graduate students at one point of time and children between 6-14 at another point of time. Both were entirely different experiences for obvious reasons and each age group came along with a set of challenges. I taught natural science during my teacher-hood as I have studied natural science all my life and that is because I have a strong passion for science, especially biological sciences.

1.2.       How do I want to develop as a vocational teacher? What motivates me?

Vocational education is new to me and I have not done a single vocational course throughout my life so far. Vocational education is equally important and sought after in Finland, which is not the situation in my home country, India. May be that is the reason why I have decided to explore the vocational education system. I would like to learn to be an inspiring vocational teacher and doing the course widens the opportunities to seek a job in the present situation. 

2  FAMILIRIAZING MYSELF WITH THE STUDIES AND PLANNING AHEAD

2.1.     What studies support and nurture the development of your core competences?

I would like to be a part of courses that would help me understand the ABC of vocational teacher-hood. How to deal with teens, young adults in vocational environment, and special needs students would act as a foundation for my education. Any course in English related to vocations education will be on my priority list as I want to learn every bit of information out there.

2.2. How do you schedule your studies?

I am taking care of my one year old now so I have some time during the day time that I spare for quick learning. All the detailed learning I save for the night as it is peaceful and I can study for many hours at one go.

2.3. Consider the possibilities teacher practise in your own field of work. In which vocational institute or polytechnic or other institute can I carry out my teacher practise? What core contents shall I concentrate on? Which target audience shall be my students?

Biology is my expertise and passion for life. The closest areas where I can use my education are agriculture, natural and environmental sciences, and pharmaceuticals. It seems like a complicated task to find a straightforward course suitable for my expertise but I am willing to try new areas as well. My target audience would be teens and young adults.

2.4.     What former competences or learning shall I present to be accredited? –Familiarize yourself with the accreditation policies of the school. 

There are no courses that I can present so I have to find and take whatever comes my way.

3  MY FUTURE AS A VOCATIONAL TEACHER

Use three sentences to describe how you see yourself as a vocational teacher in the future?

·      Inspire: I would like to inspire my students with my teaching.

·  Commit: Since biological sciences are my passion, any field related gives me the necessary motivation to commit myself for the learning and teaching at the same time.

·  Connect: My main aim would be to connect with the students in a positive way. I strongly believe that it is more important to connect the right way than to just deliver the lecture.