Abstract:

Digitalization is an important enabler for both teachers and students in a complex educational world. Vocational education providers now have the means to develop digital or hybrid learning offerings that harness the power of e-Learning. These ventures aim to provide students with flexible learning opportunities, considering different levels of learning offerings. A key objective is to create a simple model of study and the same time reduce the overall time spent in studies before students enter the work market. Study modules in vocational education are being brought as a part of secondary and vocational degrees with a bespoke framework.

In the future, vocational education institutes need to produce more e-Learning or hybrid modules that can be integrated as a part of secondary and vocational degrees. This helps those students who simultaneously complete either a double or triple degree. The idea is to lower the thresholds in multi degree studies. This takes place as students become more familiarized with digital learning and its possibilities and acquire some of the skills needed in working life well before entering that stage. These cross-system opportunities are an important part of generating attraction among students finishing their studies and contemplating also further education opportunities.

Kouvola Vocational Institute, EduKo, has also been developing tailored digital services for immigrants who are in integration training and who are pursuing vocational training. Experiences with the pathway have been positive. Teaching Finnish language and language specific practices are part of the digital offering in these pathways. Simultaneously, we wanted to investigate the utilization of e-Learning or digital tools in learning, student guidance, and other parts that specifically meet the needs of vocational schools’ students. The project has provided an opportunity to share experiences and design a descriptive model of teaching co-operation between teachers and students.

The project also aims to improve the digital competences of the teaching staff and the assessment of learning and guidance methods. E-learning and digitalization provide substantial advantages towards more effective teaching. It also assists in creating flexible learning opportunities for students without the limitations of time and place.
One of the aims is, of course, to reduce the overall time spent in education or study time does not get unnecessarily long. Digital or hybrid study offerings provide one way to meet these goals. In our framework, students have access to a wide range of digital or hybrid studies. As a result, we are building an educational pathway towards secondary or vocational studs that eases the transition and reduces the total length of the student’s education.

With more focus on e-learning, both secondary and vocational degrees provide important skills needed for pursuing higher education. The demands of the society also require new innovations of the educational system to meet national goals in competitiveness. Moreover, our e-learning project show implications that a student’s ability to continue her studies in next level or at work is improved.

Keywords:

e-learning, digitalization, hybrid model, vocational education, immigrants, flexible learning.