The course introducing the contents of crafts and technology education is a great example of a multidisciplinary project that combines different subjects. The Namibian students at the Department of Teacher Education on Rauma campus got to explore both traditional and new materials and methods.
– Theme of the course was building a musical instrument. Main material in the project was wood in different forms, but the students also got to learn more about 3D printable plastic and 3D printing. The instruments built during the course were modelled with a 3D design software. Laser technology was used, for example, for cutting materials and for transferring photo-based engravings to wood, explains University Teacher Matti Pirttimaa who was in charge of the course.
According to Pirttimaa, the Namibian students have built a variety of instruments during the course which are displayed in an exhibition on Rauma campus.
– Instruments built during the course included a djembe drum and a rainstick attached to a traditional harp. Other instruments included different kinds of diddley bows, a lyre, a tubulum, and a traditional Finnish 5-string harp called kantele.
Unique Transnational Education
The Namibians participating in teacher education at the University of Turku have now spent a year in Finland. According to Programme Manager Päivi Granö, the studies of the Namibian students have progressed especially well.
– By the end of December, a majority of the students had completed 70 credits. It is a very fast pace, since they have only studied for 10 months. The spring semester began with teacher training at the English-oriented classes of the Rauman normaalikoulu school. At the same time, the planning work for a Bachelor’s thesis begins.
During the spring, intermediate studies in education as well as multidisciplinary studies will be continued, says Granö.
According to Coordinator of Transnational Education Ari Koski from the Development Services of the University of Turku, the teacher education of the Namibians is a unique project, since it is the first Bachelor's degree education realised as transnational education in Finland.
– We are extremely pleased with this opening with the Namibians. It offers opportunities for more extensive transnational education, as there is potentially a greater international demand for Bachelor’s degree education than Master's degree programmes. This project has also been a great example of the collaboration possibilities between Finland University, the University of Turku and the City of Rauma, says Koski.
Namibian students pictured with their course works.
Teacher education bought by the NSFAF foundation was launched at the Department of Teacher Education of the University of Turku in February 2017. Altogether 24 Namibian future teachers study the first two years in Rauma and the third year in their home country. Lecturer in musical education Pirkko Martti was involved in the planning and realisation of the course presented in this article.
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Text: Heikki Kettunen
Translation: Saara Yli-Kauhaluoma
Photo: Matti Pirttimaa
