Browsing by master's degree program "Master´s Programme in Education"

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of adults on the autism spectrum of being themselves and the factors related to masking in higher education and transitioning to working life. Previous studies have shown that many people on the autism spectrum feel the need to mask their characteristics typical of the autism spectrum. It has been found that masking can have negative effects on the mental health and wellbeing of the person who masks. This study reveals the experiences of adults on the autism spectrum of being themselves and which factors are related to masking. Methods. The data of the study consisted of the interviews collected for the international IMAGE project. The participants were adults on the autism spectrum from Finland (n=7) and the United Kingdom (n=5). The data was analyzed in the phenomenological framework using qualitative, data-driven content analysis. Results and conclusions. The results showed that the diagnosis of autism spectrum was reported mainly for a specific reason, not spontaneously. Experiences of being accepted ranged from positive to negative, and it was particularly challenging to be oneself in extracurricular activities. Three themes emerged in the factors related to masking. First, masking and openness on the other hand were associated with the concern about their consequences: participants considered possible negative consequences on job search, other people and themselves. Another factor related to masking was social environment. Masking increased when the person on the autism spectrum did not know their company, while knowledge about the autism spectrum and friendly attitude reduced it. What is more, one’s own opinion of the autism spectrum was related to masking. A positive attitude towards the autism spectrum reduced the need for masking, while one's own or others' negative experiences of being open about the autism spectrum increased its hiding. In higher education and workplaces, it would be important to reinforce factors that increase the possibility for the people on the autism spectrum to be themselves and not mask if they wish so.

The purpose of this research is to study how the personnel of early childhood education and care (ECEC) describe the child and learning in the child’s individual ECEC plan and to analyse how well the children’s plans comply with the national core curriculum of ECEC. In 2016, ECEC in Finland changed from daycare to pedagogy when the national core curriculum of ECEC was published and became the national norm. Mansikka and Lundkvist’s (2019) review of the ECEC curriculum from 2005 and the curriculum from 2016 showed that the concept learning is more valued in ECEC today. A Finnish study from the beginning of 2000 indicated that the ECEC personnel had expectations of how the child should behave. A child was expected for example to be social, to follow rules and to play calmly in a way that is considered suitable for the child’s gender (Alasuutari, 2010.) Since the research mentioned above was made, the Finnish ECEC has developed a lot because of the new ECEC law and the national core curriculum. It is interesting to study what kind of impact this development has had on the view of children and learning. The research data consisted of children’s individual ECEC plans. The length of these plans was 1–3 pages and a total of 27 plans were collected. The plans were collected from daycare centers within the same organization. I made a qualitative content analysis of the research data. The analys proceeded in three parts and the research data was compressed in each part. When the first part was done, I had hundreds of words categorized into 18 categories. Finally, four categories of the child view and two categories of the learning view remained. The child view in the children’s individual plans and in the ECEC curriculum were mainly similar. One difference was found in the individual plans. In the children´s individual plans a desire for a compliant child was found. The child was expected to participate in activities and to be compliant in transitions for example when moving from indoors to outdoors. The impact of the physical environment on children's learning was not mentioned in the individual plans, but the ECEC curriculum highlighted the impact of the physical environment. The role of the adults in a child's learning was emphasized in both types of documents, but the child’s role seemed to be forgotten in the children´s individual plans. In the ECEC curriculum the concepts learning and development are used as two separate concepts while the two concepts are used as synonyms in the children’s plans. This study indicates that the two concepts have different meanings. They are used separate in theory but are used as synonyms in practice

Aim: The aim of this thesis is to investigate if an intervention in positive psychology can im-prove students’ subjective well-being and cultivate a growth mindset. The health in school study has shown that students experienced more school fatigue, difficulties with school as-signments and more anxiety and depression than before (THL, 2017; 2019; 2021). The pro-ject Study with Strength has developed an intervention course to support students in their everyday lives and my dissertation is written within this project. The study is based on two theories, positive psychology, and Mindset theory. Methods: The thesis is based on interviews of upper secondary students who participated in the Study with Strength intervention. Six students from different locations in Finland partici-pated in the study. The participants were between 16 and 19 years old. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via video. These interviews were transcribed and then analyzed with a thematic analysis. Results and conclusions. The results in my research showed that all the students felt that their conscious presence and their relationships had improved after the intervention. Fur-thermore, the students found methods to deal with their negative feelings. The students felt that finding out their strengths had improved their well-being as well as given them more self-confidence. This shows that the intervention has a positive effect on how students perceive their subjective well-being. Further results showed that the students’ belief in themselves and ability to develop had a positive change. They also viewed setbacks differently and were less scared to fail. All the students had also learnt how to manage their stress differently which lead to them feeling less stressed. Some of the students felt that they had a more positive view on challenges. Half the students had a more positive view on feedback after the intervention. The results show that the students perceived that their mindset had changed towards a more growth mindset.

The use of virtual reality learning environments is rapidly expanding in various disciplines. However, there are only a few comparative studies in education. This thesis explores the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) and a physical learning environment on students’ learning outcomes and motivation by comparing the virtual reality and the physical learning environment during one day of studies. The participants were fourth-year mechanical engineering bachelor students (N = 14) at a university of applied sciences in Finland. The intervention was implemented as part of the course module, where students learned the structure and the functioning of the harvester head engine, which was part of a logging machine. A quasi-experimental design was set up, and in the morning, one-half of the students started their studies in virtual reality and the other half in the physical learning environment. In the afternoon, student groups switched learning environments. Motivation and learning outcomes were measured by pre-test and post-test questionnaires. Additionally, students’ learning outcomes were measured by completed study tasks during the interventions and by observing. The teacher assessed the data related to learning as grades. The one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to analyse the effectiveness of the learning environments on motivation and learning outcomes. The development of learning outcomes was statistically significant (p < .00) in both learning environments during the morning and the afternoon. No difference was observed between the learning outcomes gained in the two learning environments. There was an interaction (p < .01) between intrinsic motivation and learning environments in the morning. While in the afternoon, intrinsic motivation developed positively (p < .01) in both environments. The results suggest that studying in two different learning environments maintains interest and helps to achieve significant learning outcomes during the one-day studies. When studying began in a physical learning environment, intrinsic motivation developed positively throughout the day.

Goal. The aim of this thesis is to map the theoretical complexity of the much discussed and researched concept of inclusive education. Furthermore, it illustrates the concept from a practical point of view, using interviews with Finnish classroom teachers. Researchers describe the search for a definition of inclusive education as a difficult and unproductive task. Regardless of this, several previous studies have attempted to map and simplify the complex topic. This complexity is highlighted through a review of definitional approaches from previous research. Beyond the theoretical complexity, the practical perspective also suggests a diversity of opinions and solutions within schools. The implementation of inclusive education is described from the Finnish point of view, making visible the principle of support for learning and schooling. It should be noted that the 2014 National Core Curriculum for Basic Education (Finnish National Agency for Education, 2014) describes teaching in Finnish schools as inclusive. However, the document does not define the meaning of inclusion, leaving perception and implementation up to educators. Interviews with eight Swedish-speaking classroom teachers aim to support the understanding of the implementation of inclusive education. The analysis of the interviews is especially based on the teachers' descriptions of practical actions related to inclusion, as well as the motives for the actions. Method. The thesis is based on qualitative content analysis of eight (8) interviews with Swedish-speaking classroom teachers from eight (8) different Swedish-speaking schools and school units in southern Finland. The material that I analyzed is fully transcribed and anonymized interviews. The material was collected in 2022, as part of the University of Helsinki's research project MÅDIG: Diversity and differentiation in comprehensive school. Interviews were conducted with 21 class teachers and principals, but I only accessed one interview with a class teacher from each school or school unit in the project. Results. The research results show that the Swedish-speaking classroom teachers use a variety of inclusive teaching strategies in order to address current issues that affect the learning of heterogeneous student groups. The interviews reveal that inclusive teaching is largely based on practical prioritization and lack of resources, as evidenced by the fact that the majority of teachers' descriptions refer to the consideration of disadvantaged pupils, rather than all pupils. Consideration of disadvantaged pupils is relevant, as the functionality of teaching is based on consideration of them to a greater extent than consideration of strong pupils. In addition to consideration of achievement level, i.e., strength in learning, the majority of classroom teachers describe consideration of pupils' variations in language level and home situation. Teachers describe the implementation of inclusive teaching strategies based on current themes using differentiation, peer support and companion teaching. In addition to consideration of learning, teachers also describe in depth the maintenance of social community within the class, the school and with the home. For example, teachers use varied joint activities and open communication to consider social community. In correlation with previous research, inclusive education is illustrated as a multifaceted and complex ideal in education. The previous research largely aims to define and understand the meaning of the concept, while the interviews show a practical view of varying solutions to inclusive education. The comparison of theory and practice shows that teachers' inclusion is largely based on what is practically possible and their descriptions can therefore be considered non-theoretical. This has the risk of leading to teachers acting according to their own perceptions of a situation, instead of the important professional theory. Several teachers describe that they lack adequate resources, but also additional training in the consideration of all students. The thesis highlights the need for further research on the implementation of inclusive education.

International policy documents (FN (UN), 1989; WHO & BZgA, 2010, 2013; WAS, 2014; UNESCO, 2018) recommend that children should receive age-appropriate sexuality education, but it is unclear whether this is fulfilled in practice. There is relatively little research on sexuality education for younger students. Therefore, it is relevant to research how sexuality education for younger students is delivered. The purpose of this study is to describe how sexuality education is delivered in grades 1-2 in Finland and to examine teachers’ attitudes towards sexuality education for younger students. In this study I would like to draw attention to the potential of the Finnish curriculum when it comes to sexuality education. Five teachers, who at the time of the study taught grades 1-2 in Finnish primary schools, participated in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and analysed with thematic analysis. The results found that teachers had difficulties defining sexuality education. Teachers taught sexuality education across subjects, spontaneously and sometimes also unconsciously. Teachers need help defining what sexuality education is and what themes are to be addressed. Sexuality education should be made an evident part of the subject environmental studies in the Finnish curriculum. This can hopefully encourage teachers to teach sexuality education. The sexuality education was not really planned, evaluated, or developed in any of the schools. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Local plans for sexuality education should be written. The teachers had generally positive attitudes towards sexuality education for younger students, but in some situations sexuality education could be perceived as a difficult subject. Several of the teachers showed interest in promoting diversity and equal treatment in their teaching. This study failed in providing any deeper insight into how teachers work with norms in sexuality education.

Background and objectives: First, this research aims to understand Ghanaian student teachers' genuine thoughts and views on remote education and learning. Secondly, the interest is to find out how the student teachers see the use of remote methods in their future work and especially, how to teach practical skills remotely. Third, the broader goal is to take a stand on the development of teacher education in a time where sustainability issues, developing technology and crises challenging the global world are shaking up our world view in a new way. The bicycle model of the future home economics teacher, which guides systemic thinking and is based on a transformative learning concept, adapted for this study, is used to help the examination of the results. To support future orientation, the data is also examined with the help of 21 century competencies on teaching and learning. Finally, this master's thesis is an article-form thesis, and its purpose is to produce a scientific article, as well as this summarizing section describing the background work and research process of the article. Context: The concept of remote teaching and learning used in this study refers specifically to learning and teaching that takes place online with remote connections. Such learning can be real-time or asynchronized learning through online platforms. These do not necessarily require a constant network connection but rely on digital pedagogy. Methods: The data of this qualitative online study was collected through WhatsApp interviews and the informant group consisted of nine Ghanaian student teachers. The research data has been analyzed with theory-based content analysis, using the bicycle model on comprehensive climate education as a guiding theory. The bicycle model was modified from the original to suit this study. Results and conclusion: The results of this study clearly indicate both that remote teaching and learning has become a permanent part of Education, but also that remote methods, related to technological knowledge and interaction skills should be further developed in teacher education. The informants of the study saw an interactive, communal, and learning environment that utilizes peer learning but also takes individuals into account as particularly meaningful when thinking about their own learning but also their future work as a teacher.

Growth folder is a tool based on the definition of portfolio, that has been used in the early childhood education since the 90’s. With the development of digital technologies, a digital option has developed alongside the paper-based growth folder, and digitality is thought in many ways to enhance its capabilities. Being a tool that is based on documenting and on processing those documents, digital growth folder in early childhood education shares common ground especially with the pedagogical documentation, but in literature there are also many other possibilities attached to it. The aim of this study was to find out what different perceptions early childhood education teachers have about the digital growth folder as well as the actual working with it. The meaning of this study is to find out, what kind of possibilities early education teachers themselves think are included in digital growth folder. The collection of research material and analysis was in this study guided by the qualitative phenomenographic framework, which states that there is just one common reality, whose phenomena each individual experiences and comprehends in individual ways. The research material was collected by interviewing six early childhood education teachers, each with at least two years of experience in using the digital growth folder in their work. The material driven analysis proceeded through the identification of meaning units and their categorization to finally form two description category systems. Based on the perceptions of early childhood education teachers interviewed, a digital growth folder is a tool or means with different uses and purposes. The purpose was influenced by early childhood education staff, the child, and the child’s family. Digitality appeared as a factor that seemed to have both negative and positive effects on the digital growth folder. Based on teachers’ perceptions, working with the growth folder appeared as a process, that contained documenting but also processing those documents. The working with the growth folder was affected on the one hand by the resources related to digital devices and time, on the other hand the organizing the work.

Objectives. The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to assess the methodological quality of intervention studies examining the effect of digital learning games on the reading skills of children with or at risk of reading difficulties. Learning games can serve as a tool to motivate and engage in learning when a child needs more time and repetition to learn. Learning games are utilized in teaching, but the results for their effectiveness vary. The target groups for special needs education are small and heterogeneous in their skills, which makes it challenging to demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions. Methods. The dissertation was carried out as a systematic literature review using PRISMA guidelines. The studies to be evaluated were retrieved from the databases ERIC (Proquest), PsycINFO (Ovid), SCOPUS (Elsevier), Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) and Web of Science. The studies selected for review (n = 13) were published between years 2011 and 2022, were peer-reviewed and English-language intervention studies. The target group was children with reading difficulties or at a risk of reading difficulties, and the intervention sought to influence reading skills through digital learning games. The evaluation was carried out based on the criteria of the EPHPP framework. Results and conclusions. The majority (8) of the intervention studies were rated as strong, three as moderate and two as weak. For the study design, all were assessed as strong for evaluation, while for selection bias and blinding, all studies were rated as only moderate. For confounders, all but one was rated as moderate. Weak ratings were given to only a few studies for data collection methods and withdrawals and dropouts. Based on the results of this study, there is the most room for improvement in the reporting of these two parts to ensure the reliability of the studies.

Objectives. Home economics education should establish action which tackles challenges and opportunities related to daily life and digital tools. Previous studies have shown that the most important predictors of home economics teachers’ information and telecommunication technology use are the teacher-level factors of digital competence, perceived usefulness of information and telecommunication technology in home economics teaching and the school-level support. In addition, there is a connection between perceived usefulness of information and telecommunication technology in home economics teaching and its use for facilitating pupils’ learning. This study investigates use of digital tools in home economics teaching, in a sense of what kind of experiences and perceptions home economic teachers’ and teacher students’ have. Thus, finding out how digital tools are used in home economics teaching and which factors have an impact to pedagogical decisions. Methods. This study combines two types of data, thus being a mixed-methods study. Data was collected by a questionnaire from Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish and Estonian home economics teachers and teacher students (n222). 1) Qualitative data was analysed by using thematic analysis, but only using Finnish home economics teachers’ and teacher students’ responses. 2) Part of qualitative data was quantified by using Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish and Estonian respondents’ answers. 3) Quantitative data was analysed by using SPSS-program. Means, standard deviations, t-tests and cross-tabulations were calculated from the data. Results and conclusions. Home economics teachers and teacher students used digital tools particularly to ease teachers work tasks and to support pupils’ learning. By respondents’ experiences digital tools bring value to teaching and the use of digital tools is favourable. Home economics studies have supported and encouraged teacher students to use digital tools, but there is need for further and greater support in the future, especially at teacher training.