PSP

My personal study plan


PSP - Reflections on my study path

At the start of the studies the student will reflect on his/her competences and create a personalized study plan (PSP).
Remember to assess the following parts and add your PSP to your PLE (blog) . The PSP is a part of the vocational pedagogy studies (VOC).



1. MY COMPETENCES AND VOCATIONAL TEACHERHOOD

The starting point for my vocational teaching is at the very grassroots level. In regards to the descriptors of professional teacher's competences as described in our iVet-pages I'd like to list as my strenghts:

Competence in values integration - I am rather keen on pondering on the ethical responsibility as an educator, especially within the upper secondary educational and vocational contexts, given the fairly young students within those classrooms. I also like pondering on the values from a culturally situated point of view. Our responsibility as teachers in understanding the complexity of values systems across cultures is of the essence. I have to deal with this on a daily basis in my present job in the International Baccalaureate Programme.

 
Gobal competence - This competence has to do with the previous. The world is in perpetual change, hence the values and related competences are in constant change as well, even more so when the meaning of national borders changes, too. More and more we encounter situations, in classrooms and elsewhere, where our global competences and intercultural competences are increasingly in need. This is what I write about intercultural competence:
"An interculturally competent person is able to encounter cultural differences in a positive manner (Jokikokko 2005, 70) and is able to recognize and use cultural differences for learning and constructing an appropriate strategy (Friedman & Antal 2005, 70). In addition to language skills, being interculturally competent refers to the ability to use and interpret non-verbal means of communication, such as gestures and codes as well as skills of negotiation and conflict resolution (Jokikokko 2005) and understand shared views on what is polite and how to handle threats to face (Smith et al. 2006) This kind of knowledge is attained implicitly through cultural exposure (Molinsky et al. 2005) and intercultural communication abilities are enhanced by adopting a more complex conception of cultural identity (Jameson 2007).

Laakkonen, A. 2012

Competence in research - I like doing research and I'm particularly fond of the qualitative paradigm methodology-wise. I'd like to think this is beneficial to my students as well as they go to develop their ideas.

Challenges within competences:

My areas of constant improvement and development would be the innovative use of new technologies which is exactly what this course is teaching us. Also moving from the lonely researcher's chamber into the sometimes chaotic classroom with continuous interaction going on is a true challenge.

Future identity as a vocational teacher:

I want to develop my (at the moment rather primitive) teaching skills in the future. I am passionate about understanding cultural issues so therefore teaching in a multicultural environment is a great motivator for me. I am lucky enough to be able to do that right now within the IB.

2. FAMILIRIAZING MYSELF WITH THE STUDIES AND PLANNING AHEAD

Soon it is time to start our teaching practice. I'm hoping to be able to do it teaching what I'm teaching right now which is Theory of Knowledge in the IB Diploma Programme. It has close links to my researcher's background, yet it is not a philosophy course or a methodology course. It aims to teach critical thinking through looking at different areas of knowledge along with various ways of knowing.

The great challenge regarding these studies is that I have to do this while I work full time. On the other hand this is also the reason why I wanted to do this because this program can be done while working full time, that at least has been my understanding. However, it has been very difficult to schedule the online meetings work-wise as my work does not allow me to just close my office door but I have to be accessible to my students at all times. Therefore there have been times when I've listened and talked to my student colleagues while listening to my students with my other ear.

Time management challenges continue.


3. MY FUTURE AS A VOCATIONAL TEACHER

I see my future as a vocational teacher in a multicultural classroom. I would like to teach business related issues from a cross-cultural perspective. I also would like to teach the wonderful ideals of the IB learner profile