TAMK's Anna-Liisa Karjalainen and Sari Mettiäinen awarded for their research on E-education in conference in Japan

TAMK's IT designer, Anna-Liisa Karjalainen and Head of Degree Programme, Sari Mettiäinen, were awarded for their research during the e-Case & e-Tech 2013 conference organized in Kitakyushu, Japan. The conference was about the role of technology in different aspects of life and the topic of the award-winning research was "Teachers as Users of New Technology - Experiences of Using Electronic Assessment and Feedback System in Supervision of Clinical Training".

You can read their travel report below:

e-Case & e-Tech 2013 Kitakyushu Japan

We participated in an international conference on 3- 5 April 2013 in Kitakyushu, Japan. The event had more than 400 participants from 20 countries. The conference focused on the role of technology in different fields of life. We participated in e-Education sessions and our presentation was also part of those sessions.

We networked with several participants. We discussed with e.g. Tom Galea, who is the principal of Rosebank College in Australia. We found that Finland and Australia are at approximately the same level in using ICT. Based on a discussion with Japanese Dr Chien-Kuo Li, we found that Facebook is still very popular in Japan and it is also studied from the viewpoint of education. Professor Michael Stoica from Washburn University in Kansas told that use of ICT in education varies a lot in different parts of the United States.

In particular, the studies on game-based learning made us thoughtful as did the presentation on how use of tablets intensifies learning (Yu-Feng Lan and Yu-Feng Jheng, National Formosa University).  Several presentations we heard focused on students’ online discussions. The discussions had been studied from different viewpoints. The presentations did not contain anything outstandingly new education technology pedagogy, and thus according to our conception the same methods are used and studied abroad as in Finland.

 

From left: Anna-Liisa Karjalainen, Sari Mettiäinen, Tom Galea and three other conference visitors from Taiwan

The title of our presentation was “Teachers as Users of New Technology – Experiences of Using Electronic Assessment and Feedback System in Supervision of Clinical Training”. Our research report was rewarded as the best in the e-Education category. The award criteria included e.g. the scientific quality and practical exploitability.

The award was valued, which we noticed immediately when we registered at the conference. People came to congratulate us and wanted to take photos. When our own presentation started, a group of cameramen arrived and we were congratulated once more.

Anna-Liisa Karjalainen (left) and Sari Mettiäinen (middle) receiving the award on April 4th, 2013.

Japanese people seemed very friendly and helpful. Technology is advanced there and we saw in many everyday situations how automation and engineering competence were utilised. There were many skyscrapers in the city but we also managed to see some idyllic peace and old culture of the countryside. We learned to eat with sticks but it was partly thanks to the friendly Japanese as they came to help us hands-on. We came to the conclusion that they do not often see blond people in Kitakyushu as they paid much attention to us. People stopped us in the street and asked where we were from and why we were in Japan. Their first image of Finland was often the cold climate, some immediately remembered Nokia, Angry Birds were not as familiar in Kitakyushu as we assumed. Marimekko and the Moomin characters were well-known in Japan and the products were available in some shops.

On the terrace of a traditional wooden Japanese house. Kokura Castle and a Japanese garden in the background.

We both think the trip was successful. Our presentation was enriched by a Youtube video we had made in advance. In the video, Senior Lecturer Eija-Riitta Alho told about her experiences of using e-Taitava in supervision of clinical training. In our opinion, our presentation went well, and the listeners were so interested in use of mobile technology in supervision of clinical training that they even made us questions and asked the contact information for the software supplier. We received several contacts and had the chance to tell about Finland and TAMK to our colleagues from many different parts of the world.

Text and photos: Anna-Liisa Karjalainen and Sari Mettiäinen

Good day from chilly but sunny Oita-city!

Exchange students doing zazen, a Zen Buddhist meditation practice.

Because of nation-wide entrance exams, all the lectures are cancelled, and I have unusual spare time to report to TAMK's blog about my exchange.


We, the exchange students, began our semester in Oita University in the 1st of October, at the same time as all Japanese university students start their school year. That is quite late in comparison to Finland.



For the past two months, despite the variety of fields offered by Oita University, the selected exchange studies have concentrated in two subjects: economics and Japanese language. And for my good, both have proven to be extremely informative.



In my view, Oita University is a fruitful choice for anyone with a desire to learn business economics, Japanese management, social studies or even chemistry alongside of Japanese language. Japanese language classes are divided into six levels, allowing everyone from no prior knowledge to extremely advanced to receive suitable teaching.



To give a quick coordinates, Oita University locates in the Oita-city. City of Oita then again is a prefectural capital of Oita prefecture and Oita prefecture is in the north-west of Kyushu island, in the southern Japan. Hmm... it might be better to look it up from a map.



The main reason why I wanted to come to Japan, besides learning the language, is its peculiarity. Japan has been subject to countless studies, doubtlessly because there is no culture alike. For myself, the time here is an unique chance to receive firsthand knowledge of the distinctiveness of Japan. And I am grateful for both TAMK University of Applied Sciences and Oita University for giving this opportunity!


Lauri Aho, Oita University, Japan

The Joint Symposium of Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Miyagi University

Challenges to Integrate Nursing Knowledge and Practice

Date and time

Friday 3rd September 2010, 9.00-16.00
Venue: Tampere, Finland
Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Kuntokatu 3, A3-27.

Sub themes of the symposium include

- The Future of the Partnership Between TAMK and MY
- Overview of Nursing Education System in Finland and TAMK
- Overview of Nursing Education System in Japan and MY
- Issues Involved in Linking Nursing Education and Clinical Practice

Program

Moderators: Prof. H. Nagasawa MD. Miyagi University and PhD, Vice President Marja Sutela, TAMK

9.00-9.30
Opening Markku Lahtinen, President, TAMK

The Future of the Partnership between TAMK and MYU
Shoken Mawatari, President, Miyagi University

9.30-10.00
Overview of Nursing Education System in Finland and TAMK
Päivi Karttunen PhD Vice President

10.00-10.30
Overview of Nursing Education System in Japan and MYU
Yoshiko Sekito Ed.D., Professor, School of Nursing, Miyagi University

10.30-10.45 Coffee break


10.45-12.45 Session 1
Issues Involved in Linking Nursing Education and Clinical Practice

Chairpersons: Prof. Yoshiko Sekito Ed.D., Miyagi University and Principal lecturer Jouni Tuomi, RN, PhD, TAMK

1) A Clinical Role and Issue for Cardiovascular Nursing in Japan - from the Aspect of Self Care Sup-ports
Toshiko Yoshida, RN, PHN, PhD, Professor, School of Nursing, Miyagi University

2) About Possibilities to Go over Problems to Integrate Nursing Education and Practice in Curriculum Level
Jouni Tuomi PhD, Principal Lecturer

3) Ways to Integrate Clinical Practice with Theory
Pia Keiski, MNSc, Education Manager (Adults nursing education)

4) Alternative Medicine concerning Music Therapy in Japan - Possibilities and Problems
Akiko Kitaoka, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Miyagi University

12.45-13.45 Lunch


13.45-15.45 Session 2
Nursing Demands for the Elderly in the Aging Society

Chairpersons: Prof. Toshiko Yoshida, RN, PHN, PhD and Principal lecturer Varpu Lipponen, RN, PhD, TAMK

1) Aging and Elderly Care - Welfare Strategies and Practices in Japan
Haruo Nagasawa MD. Professor, School of Nursing Miyagi University

2) Ederly Care - Challenges to Nursing and Nursing Education
Kaarina And, Lecturer

3) Kinaesthetics in Elderly Health Care Setting
Hiroko Tadaura, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Miyagi University

4) Active Ageing in Tampere Region: Joint Project between TAMK and Elderly Care Service Providers
Tarja Heinonen, Program Manager, Wellbeing Services and Technology, R&D

Closing

This symposium is open to all. Welcome!

Please register here before 31.8.2010.

For further information concerning the event, contact Liisa Marttila, liisa.marttila (at) tamk.fi.

TAMK and Shikoku Gakuin University sign a partnership agreement

Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Shikoku Gakuin University from Japan signed a partnership agreement on 16th May 2011. The university is TAMK's fifth partner university in Japan.

Shikoku Gakuin University is a small university (1400 students) on Shikoku island in Kagawa prefecture in Southern Japan. The university has three faculties: Art and Humanities, Social Welfare and Social Sciences. it is known especially for its Social Welfare faculty.

TAMK has hosted three groups of Social Welfare students since 2008.

The President of Shikoku Gakuin University, Takaaki Sueyoshi, and the President of TAMK, Markku Lahtinen, signed the partnership agreement.

TAMK is planning cooperation especially in the "hikikomura" phenomenon: over one million Japanese youth are in danger of alienation from schools and working life due to extensive use of the social media. TAMK's lecturer in Social Services Ulla-Maija Koivula is planning a teacher exchange to Japan in spring 2012.

Text and photo: Mirja Onduso

Student exchange from Miyagi University, Japan

Seven students from Miyagi University, Japan, arrived in Tampere on Thursday August 25^th August and their host families were at the bus station to meet them. This is the fourth year that TAMK R&D and Education Services receive students for exchange from Sendai for a couple of weeks.

The students were from different fields of study (food, energy, design & media) and this was their first time in Europe and, of course, in Tampere. Everything was exciting and new.  On Friday, orientation and practicalities were presented by Kirsi Tolvanen and Mirja Onduso from the International Services, and the first day ended in Tampere sightseeing tour.  They visited Rauhaniemi, Tuomiokirkko church and they also saw the city from the Pyynikki Observation Tower and, of course, tasted the delicious doughnuts.

During the weekend, the students had time to recover from the jetlag and get to know their host families better.

On Monday, it was time for school again. Esa Ala-Uotila and Perttu Heino presented R&D and Education Services and after lunch Kimmo Vänni, using Japanese and English, presented the Facilities for New Sleep Innovations as well as the Facilities for Independent Coping on Kuntokatu 4 Campus.

Introduction and preparation for the field study was conducted by Jarmo Perttunen and Kimmo Vänni and with the students they also visited Demola – Open innovation platform for students and companies in the Finlayson Area. During the visit the students had plenty of time for independent study which they used actively. Some of the students visited Helsinki for more material for their field study.

Students (Natsumi, Miho, Rikako, Kana, Chieko, Ai and Akane) in Virrat with Jukka Lampila and Kimmo Vänni

On Friday 2^nd September, we made a field trip to Virrat. First we visited the Heritage Village where we were told about the history of Finnish way of life. Our guide took us to see the Herraskoski Canal, and at the Hali Forest Cottage the students experienced wood sawing the old fashioned way.  We had lunch at Holiday Island Marttinen, and the students enjoyed the buffet lunch whole-heartedly. Then it was time for some shopping in Palmroth Center where Marimekko shop was the main attraction. We were fortunate to have Jukka Lampila guide us through TAMK Campus and after visiting Virrat public library we headed to Toriseva scenery café for some coffee and apple pie with custard. The scenery was beautiful!

During their last week, the students continued independent study by doing some surveys. They also visited some companies of their own field, for example Naistenlahti Power Plant, Turtola Citymarket, and Chef Heikki Ahopelto’s new Armas-perhe cheese factory from which the students were taken to a farm to get traditional Kyyttö-milk for the cheese.

A fun Tuesday evening was spent with good food and good company in the Get-Together, organized for the students, host families and TAMK staff members. The students performed a traditional Japanese dance which was about a fisherwoman.

On Wednesday 7^th September, Kimmo took the students to Nuutajärvi where they were guided around the Glass Village and had the opportunity to see glassblowing and go shopping for some quality design products. Shopping was something the students liked to do and they bought salmiakki and licorice, xylitol products, cheese and of course Moomin-related items; candy, soda, mugs, etc.

On Thursday, it was time for them to present their findings on the field studies. Their presentations were very interesting.  Friday 9^th September was the closing day of the visit with farewell lunch. The students did quite well in the Tampere/Finland Quiz. On Saturday, the students were sad to leave their host families. I’m sure that the families were also sad to see the students go back to Japan.

Exploring lingon berries

Trying out the old fashion way to saw

The students experienced different things with their host families, from sauna and swimming in the lake to eating black sausage, the famous Tampere delicacy. Some of the students had a chance to meet with figure skater Kiira Korpi who, I learned, is very famous in Japan.  This meeting was probably the most memorable thing of this visit for those who got to meet her.

Text and photos: Kirsi Leiniö
Video: Mirja Onduso

Guests from Sendai, Japan

Today our Finlayson campus had visitors from Japan. Six students from Miyagi University, Sendai, made a tour around the School of Art and Media, followed a presentation about TAMK University of Applied Sciences, saw some films, and of course had a look at the proAcademy.

The students are on a three week study trip in Tampere, hosted by PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences. Miyagi University is one of PIRAMK partner universities, soon also TAMK partner, TAMK and PIRAMK will merge at New Year.

Three of the students study architecture, two business and one graphic design. During the visit they compare Finnish and Japanese architecture, culture and design, they also have assignments related to their field of study.

Miyagi University
Other stories about cooperation with Japan

Photo: Guests at the Finlayson campus roof garden, on left PIRAMK International Coordinator Marika Kyllönen

International study tour in Tampere: visitors from Japan!

Autumn holiday week was filled with action when a group of six social work students and their professor from Shikoku Gakuin University in Japan came to Tampere to study Finnish social services and social work and get to know the Finnish culture. 

Japanese students Kumi Fujii, Saki Yoshihisa, Haruka Shiraishi, Erika Kaneko, Rina Sato and Mio Ido.

With guidance of TAMK social services teachers Ulla-Maija Koivula and Tapio Salomäki, three of us first year students and a present exchange student also from Shikoku Gakuin University visited altogether seven different places in Tampere area that provide services for different social groups for example youngsters, children, families, seniors and hospital patients. These visits consisted of lectures in English and also getting to know the premises and practices of the service places.

Visit to Kuusela service center for seniors took place at the end of their visit tour on Friday morning: the residents in Kuusela got to experience and try out old Japanese traditions as the students taught them to fold origami. 

Rina and Haruka teaching origami skills to Kuusela seniors.

The residents were seemingly excited and happy to have visitors all the way from Japan and to take part in action themselves. Even though they had no common language the students and the seniors were communicating with each other: plenty of smiles, laughs and hugs were exchanged. 

TAMK exchange student Haruka Isono teaching origami in Kuusela.

There were also some seniors who spoke fluent English with the Japanese. 

Our guests were also very keen to get to know and take part in the Finnish daily life. They got to spend time in Finnish homes on several occasions such as a welcoming dinner at Ulla-Maija’s home and an evening with the students at Eveliina’s home. Our visitors got to taste some traditional Finnish food, for example pyttipannu and mansikkarahka and in exchange we Finns got to taste Miso –soup, rice balls and different kinds of Japanese snacks. It was an interesting cultural encounter for everyone! 

Professor Mr. Nobuyuki Kataoka chatting in English with one of Kuusela seniors.

On Friday afternoon the official program finished with a forest trip to Helvetinjärvi nature reserve. We experienced a few surprises caused by the rainy Finnish autumn weather but luckily teamwork paid off. 

With teamwork we all managed to hike on a forest trail in Helvetinjärvi nature reserve!

At the campfire Professor Nobuyuki Kataoka summarised his experience being ‘120% satisfying’. He feels that for the students (for some of whom this study tour was their first visit abroad) it has been an empowering experience on surviving in a different country and culture.

Text: Sanni Kuikka
Photos: Sanni Kuikka and Eveliina Anttila