Browsing by Subject "working life skills"

The purpose of this study is to explore learning experiences of sixth grade students in the Me & MyCity learning environment. The research task is approached through the criteria of meaningful learning, which have been used as a theoretical framework in a Finnish learning environment study, among others. Previous research has shown that criteria of meaningful learning can be found in different kinds of learning environments. The study focuses on what working life skills the students learn in the Me & MyCity working life and society simulation. Very little research has been conducted on Me & MyCity, so the study is much needed. Research on learning environments shows that understanding and studying the usefulness of different learning environments is necessary, since there are few studies available on the topic. The goal of this study is to generate new information about the Me & MyCity learning environment, and also about which working life skills it can help students learn. The results of this study can also be used, for example, in the development of Me & MyCity. The study was carried out as a case study. The data consists of thematic interviews of a class of students and a teacher from a school in Vantaa who visited Me & MyCity in the spring of 2016, and papers the students wrote (two per each student). Altogether there were thematic interviews of 19 students, 38 papers, and one thematic interview of a teacher. The data was analyzed deductively, using the criteria of meaningful learning and a framework of working life skills that was compiled for this study. The results show that all criteria of meaningful learning can be found in Me & MyCity. However, based on the research data, the criterion of constructive learning was fulfilled only to a small extent, so the learning environment of Me & MyCity could be developed to support students' reflection of their own learning more, for example. There is variation in how working life skills are learnt in Me & MyCity. According to the results, some working life skills were not learnt at all. These results can be applied, among other things, in the pedagogical material of Me & MyCity, and its development. The results can also be put to use in ordinary school teaching to consider how school work can support students in learning working life skills and how, for example, an authentic learning environment that supports learning can be built in a school environment. The results can also be applied to building a good learning environment that supports the learning of other skills and information as well.

Objectives. In the light of previous research, so called working life orientation is more emphasised in university education and this is also what students wish. Previous studies have shown that there is a shortage of skills and knowledge among university students and employers' expectations. Especially students in generalist fields, i.e. those students who do not graduate from their studies to a certain profession, experience challenges in their working life transition. This study examines the experiences of generalist students in the competences they have learned in the university and what competencies they think it was useful to learn when transitioning to working life. The study also explores the challenges the graduated students face in working life on a more general level. Methods. The study examined 20 generalist students from the University of Helsinki and especially their experiences of learning working life skills and the challenges faced after the transition to working life. The data were collected with a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using abductive content analysis method. Results and Conclusions. The students reported to learn competencies related to understanding and knowledge formation, and the least described competences were related to communication and interaction. Most of the students missed the least described communication and interaction competences, and also the challenges in working life were mostly related to these competences. It can be concluded that student learning of communication skills should be developed in order to prepare students for the demands of working life.