Research in Innovative Learning

The research on Innovative learning at JAMK University of Applied Sciences arises from the transformation of working life and the development of digital technology, which are shaking up the entire field of education as they are rolling into the field of education. They encompass the ways of learning, learner's actions, the teacher's role, pedagogy, learning environments, educational structures and competence management.

The constant transition in operating environments changes work and sets new competence requirements. The ways of working change, and maintaining and developing competence becomes a continuous process. Utilising digitalisation in competence development creates flexible opportunities for continuous learning, shaking up the way we learn and the places and spaces where we learn. Therefore, the providers of education must also examine their own operations, create new innovative pedagogy that supports communality, develop learning ecosystems and find new ways to support learners to identify and build their own competence. 

In vocational higher education, this means deepening and diversifying the cooperation with working life and different levels of education. This creates sustainable solutions that support learning and well-being, with the focus on the learners and seamlessly helping them to develop their competence, regardless of the place of learning. 

The changes also challenge the teacher to design new types of pedagogical and curriculum solutions that enable the building of competence to support each student's individual needs, career choices and well-being. The teacher's competence to interact and guide is verified in different environments, posing challenges on the teacher's own competence. Acting as a teacher strengthens pedagogical management skills, the entrepreneurial approach and the creation of networks.

Objectives and nature of research

The focus area of Innovative learning studies working life-orientated learning and education and teacher’s profession as well as factors affecting them in the entire learning ecosystem. Research in innovative learning is of an applied, multi-method and practical nature, involving exploratory development and innovative research. 

It is considered essential to publish and disseminate the research results through versatile channels and forums to those using and applying the information.

As described above, our research activities implement the Competence for competitiveness mission included in the JAMK strategy and higher education learning and teaching based on research.

The research is carried out in close cooperation with research, education and business partners from various networks. EduFutura-network in Central Finland offers possibility to conduct RDI-collaboration closely with the secondary schools and the university. The just launched research group between the Schools of Professional Teacher Education on working life-orientated vocational learning, pedagogy, and education, broadens the network national wide. The international partners and networks like Jamk’s RISEN-network extend the research collaboration globally.

Our research focuses on four research areas: 

1. Learning and teachingin digital learning environments

2. Emerging technologies and vocational pedagogy

3. Vocational pedagogy and learning ecosystems

4. Evolving vocational teacher

Learn to know our researchers in this focus area: Sirpa Laitinen-Väänänen and Minna Silvennoinen

Researcher presentations 

News