How Do Students Describe Their Study Processes in the Competence-Based Vocational Special Education Teacher Training?

Abstract

The competence-based approach has entered Finnish education after the recent reform of vocational education. Although there is plenty of research nationally and internationally about the idea of competence-based education, the student perspective has remained in the shadow. This research focused on vocational special education teacher students’ experiences of the competence-based education. They started at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences in 2014 in the new competence-based teacher training program. This was a narrative research focusing on the students’ (N = 20) descriptions of their study processes. The data consisted of their written narratives as well as personal interviews at the beginning and end of the study process. Students’ experiences of the different phases of education and perceived benefits and challenges of competence-based education are introduced as results. While the competence-based education seemed to serve well adult students participating in it, there are many definitions and practices that have to be studied and defined better. Suggestions for future development to enhance both vocational teacher training and competence-based education in general are discussed based on the findings.