handmade wellbeing workshop experiences in finland

WORKSHOP EXPERIENCES  IN FINLAND

Mari Salovaara, Sirpa KokkoUniversity of Helsinki mari.salovaara@helsinki.fisirpa.kokko@helsinki.fi 

CRAFT TEACHER EDUCATION AT THE  UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKISubject teacher education   secondary school (primary also possible) & upper levels of teaching   5 years, 300 study points/ECTS

The degree comprises Communication and language studies (20 ECTS   Main subject studies in Craft Science (100 ECTS)   Research methods & Bachelor's and Master's thesis (60 ECTS)   Pedagogical studies for teachers (60 ECTS) including Teaching practice (20-23 ECTS)

 Minor subject studies on a chosen field (60 ECTS)

PEDAGOGICAL STUDIES (60 ECTS) Part of the required qualification of Finnish teachers The students learn various aspects of education and pedagogy; the focus is on comprehensive school

Themes: curriculum development, interaction, evaluation and assessment of learning, learning theories, didactics of craft education, psychology, school as institution, legislation of education, societal and cultural changes and phenomena etc. 

Teaching practice is part of the pedagogical studies (20-23 ECTS) In craft teacher education: Basic teaching practice (comprehensive school, 2. year of studies) Applied teaching practice (many possibilities, 4. year of studies) Advanced teaching practice (comprehensive school & adult education, 4.-5. year of studies)

STUDENTS AS WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS 14 craft student teachers Part of applied / advanced teaching practice Master-level (4th or 5th study year)All courses in education completed

2 students had previous experience of teaching adults 2 had previous experience of working with older people All the students had some experience in teaching crafts

CARE CENTRE OF THE TEACHING PRACTICEComprehensive service centre

in urban area in Southern Finland Long-term & short term housing services 18 departments Appr. 400 residents

Day activities centre Retired people living at home

Service centre Retired or unemployed people living at home

Guidance and activities

Departments we worked in3 workshops in day activity centre

1 workshop in residential department

1 workshop in craft-making group

1 workshop in service centre

WEAVING YARNS OVER OLD CDS

FELTING

DYEING WITH KOOL AID

NEEDLE FELTING

FABRIC SCRAPS & STYROFOAM

NEEDLE FELTING

CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING TECHNIQUES SOMETHING NEW!! & something familiar Not useful products

Sensory impairments & reduction in fine motor skills were considered

Making small pieces = finishing something each time

Overall aims: to feel good about yourself & be a member of group

NOTIONS OF OLDER MAKERS Carefulness, underestimating their work, skills & capabilityBUT all expectations were exceeded every timeGive time, encourage, “push”

Joy and pride of one’s work, enjoymentDoing something they didn’t think they would

Making really activates & is longed for Designing & creativity is important But support is needed; design constraintsLittle things count

Learning happened; embodied memory Significance of the moment

NOTIONS OF INTERACTION  Communication is the same as with anyone But it is good to know about memory disorders and sensory impairment

Good connection is the most important Equality & reciprocity

The role of the instructor? Participants are much older & wiser Not a teacher Equality & reciprocity

Importance of social Making crafts can facilitate this You can be together without speech

ABOUT AUTONOMY Not everyone is interested and participation must be voluntary But they should see what’s going on before deciding

Different levels of participation

Would it be sometimes ok to push a little, to step outside the comfort zone?

PHD STUDY IN THE MAKING  About craft pedagogy for older people in care settings

3 data sets = 3 articles Student teachers’ experiences of instructing crafts in care centre

International, collaborative reflections on instructing crafts in care centre

Observations of the craft process of the older participants in craft workshops

First article in 2017 (hopefully)