Professional Teacher Education Student

Principles of Guidance at the Jamk’s School of Teacher Education

The aim of guidance at the Jamk University of Applied Sciences, is to ensure smooth studies, develop expertise and support professional orientation. The principles of guidance are followed in all Jamk’s units and study programmes. These principles pertain to all students and the entire staff.

Study guidance comprises of study and learning guidance, career planning guidance and guidance in support of well-being. Study guidance offers support for the completion of the studies and development of the teacher identity.

Principle 1. Study guidance supports inclusion and activity

You have the right and the duty to be an expert on your own life. Supported by guidance, you can create your own study and career paths. Guidance helps you to become more closely identified with the student and academic community.

As a student, you will get acquainted with the curriculum of the study programme, you will prepare your personal learning plan and review them in PLP discussions with your teacher educator as needed.

You will get acquainted with the Degree Regulations, as well as Ethical Principles and Pedagogical Principles, and become aware of your rights and obligations as a student.

Your own teacher educator will provide you with tips and advice to support your studies. Learning is also based on the collaborative learning of learners, which enables diverse peer learning and receiving and giving of feedback.

The study affairs coordinator will advise you in matters such as the commencement of your studies, study entitlement, enrolments, student financial aid and graduation issues.

The international services staff and the international coordinator of the School of Professional Teacher Education supports students in matters related to studies and practical training completed abroad, such as application periods, exchange opportunities, application process and grants.

Principle 2. Study guidance supports well-being

You are provided with services and activities supporting you in your studies and everyday life. Your life situation and resources are taken into account in the guidance and in your personal learning plan.

Your own teacher educator will help you in planning a personal learning plan that is suitable to your current life situation. The PLP discussions will also address matters related to well-being, coping and time management. 

In addition to, a study counsellor will guide you whenever you are not progressing in your studies as planned. The challenges may relate for example to your state of health, coping or current life situation. The study counsellor will also advice you in matters related to accessibility.

You can consult a study psychologist and receive guidance when you feel that there are factors in your life that weaken your ability to study. Examples of matters affecting your ability to study include problems related to learning and mental health or a burdening life situation.

The school pastor provides you with discussion opportunities in various life challenges and pressures. 

The harassment contact person or mediator will help you in situations where you feel that you have been subject to bullying or harassment.
The substance abuse contact person provides students and the study community with support in issues related to substance abuse and game addiction and assists in seeking treatment, among other things.

Academic Sports provides a range of opportunities for exercise to support your well-being.

For health care issues, contact the services provided by your area / employer.

Principle 3. Study guidance supports professional development and lifelong learning and strengthens career skills

Guidance supports your learning process, the process of identifying your competence and your professional development throughout your studies. You are provided with information and guidance on how to deepen your competence during your studies by also selecting courses from other educational institutions and by taking part in international cooperation. You identify a broad range of different opportunities for work, employment and further studies in relation to your own competence. You learn how to prepare plans for your working career and proceed in accordance with them.

Your teacher educator will provide you with support and guidance on the planning and implementation of the practical training, on your goals for applying a teacher and on matters related to employment.  In addition, your teacher educator will give guidance on the opportunities available for post-graduate studies.

The supervising teacher/mentor guides your practical training and professional development in the educational institution or in the working life environment where your practical training takes place. 
The library staff will guide you in the development of your information-seeking skills as a part of the development of your professional skills.

The international services staff and the international coordinator of the School of Professional Teacher Education will provide you with guidance in internationalisation opportunities, and especially in matters related to studies and practical training completed abroad.

The Start-up Factory will support you in the development of your entrepreneurial capabilities and/or business development as a part of your studies.

In Future Factory activities and Jamk’s project activities, you can develop your working life skills, professional networks and professional skills.

The EduFutura and CampusOnline courses provide you with an opportunity to broaden or deepen your professional competence.

The admission services staff will provide you with guidance and counselling if you are considering a change in degree programme or career or want to map out your opportunities for post-graduate studies.

The alumni are graduates of the UAS, whose competence and work experience you can utilise in your career planning.

Principle 4. Study guidance is sufficient and accessible and corresponds to your individual needs

You are provided with guidance meeting your needs at all stages of your studies, especially when applying for a study place and during your studies. Guidance is provided in different ways and with different tools (individual and group guidance, on campuses and online). You are provided with up-to-date information on guidance services. You know how to seek guidance and whom to contact.

The staff will answer your inquiries, e.g. emails, as soon as possible. The contact information of staff members can be found from Jamk’s person search.

You can meet your own teacher educator and study counsellor on the campus, regional groups or online. The key guidance staff will introduce themselves during the orientation webinar. The study counsellors’ contact information can be found in the ‘For Students’ webpages.

You can contact study affairs coordinator by e-mail and telephone. 

The international services can be reached on every campus by appointment, as well as by the phone and e-mail.

The admission services can be reached on the Main campus (Rajakatu 35), as well as by the phone and e-mail.

The admission services will assist if you are applying for a transfer to another degree programme within Jamk or participate in the application for open path studies.

Library provides you with library services, such as advice and guidance on information seeking from Jamk’s library or from the internet.

Principle 5. Study guidance secures accessibility

You have the right to receive needs-based and culturally sensitive guidance and individual support on the basis of such factors as learning difficulties, disability or illness. 

Jamk is committed to promoting equality and equal opportunities of all Jamk community members to learn, participate and influence. Action boosting equality and non-discrimination is part of our daily work and communications.

Where necessary, you can discuss individual study arrangements together with your study counsellor. With her, you agree on the means and possibilities to support your fluent study path. 

You can discuss your need for individual support in your studies with the study psychologist. The measures to support the progress of your studies will be jointly planned based of the assessment carried out. The library provides you with an opportunity to get user credentials for the Celia library and obtain audio books and books written in braille.

Jamk provides an opportunity to participate in dyslexia assessment, based on which support measures can be planned for your studies in collaboration with your study counsellor. The principles and operating practices of accessibility can be found from the For Students -webpages.

Principle 6. Competent personnel that develop the operations are responsible for the study guidance services

The personnel providing the guidance are competent and they are constantly developing their guidance skills and Jamk’s guidance services.

All of those who guide you maintain and develop their guidance competence on a continuous basis. Guidance is being developed taking into account changes in the operating environment. Guidance is also developed in response to the feedback received from students. Feedback is collected for example through different feedback questionnaires and during the interaction with the student and the student group.

The feedback system is part of the quality management at the School of Professional Teacher Education. The unit's Quality Officer is responsible for the development and functioning of the feedback system.

Principle 7. Study guidance is a shared effort in which everyone takes part

Everyone working at Jamk is committed to guiding you and ensuring that you receive the guidance that meets your needs. Cooperation between guidance actors supports your well-being, your study progress and your transition to work or further studies.

Whenever you feel that you need support, you are welcome to turn to any person working at Jamk, to help you in your situation or refer you to the right person or service.