Vocational Teacher
Study programme title in Est.
Kutseõpetaja
Study programme title in Engl.
Vocational Teacher
TalTech study programme code
HALM15
MER study programme code
135197
Study programme version code
HALM15/20
Faculty / college
E - School of Engineering
Head of study programme/study programme manager
Tiia Rüütmann
Language of instruction
Estonian
Study level
Master study
ECTS credits
120
Self-paid study programme
no
Nominal study period
6 semesters
Study programme group
Teacher Training and Educational Science
Broad area of study
Education
Study field
education
Curriculum group
Training for teachers with subject specialisation
Granting the right to conduct studies in the study programme group
õppe läbiviimise õigus
Validity date of the right to conduct studies in the study programme group
tähtajatu
Access conditions
Bachelor degree or education of corresponding qualification in accordance with admission requirements of TalTech and Tallinn University.
Study programme aims and objectives
The aim of the curriculum is:
- to provide oppportunities for acquiring comprehensive academic education and the competences required for working as a vocational teacher;


- to develop an understanding of the functions of vocational education in the society;
- to support the development of preparedness for life-long learning, including the continuation of studies on the doctoral level;
- to develop the competencies for creating a learning environment which supports development.
The module of Didactics for specialisation as a technical teacher has been accredited by International Society of Engineering Education (IGIP). Persons, who have passed studies according to the module, may apply for the qualification of International Engineering Educator (ING-PAED IGIP) from IGIP Estonian Monitoring Committee.
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Learning outcomes of the study programme
After completing the curriculum the student:
- understands the key terms, theories and research methods in educational science, vocational education and didactics;


- critically evaluates various educational paradigms and their implementation, including the creation of a learning environment;
- establishes interdisciplinary links between pedagogic and specialty-based knowledge;
- analyses pedagogic processes and the factors affecting these processes from the viewpoint of the comprehensive development needs of the learner;
- demonstrates through independent research his/her in-depth knowledge in the field of educational science and teacher training both in Estonian and in a foreign language;
- is prepared to work as a vocational teacher and to participate in the civil society by following ethical principles;
- understands the links between vocational education, the society and the economy on the national and international level.
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Graduation requirements
Completion of the curriculum in the required amount, and the successful defence of the graduation paper in conformity with the requirements set by the TalTech Senate.
In order to obtain Cum Laude diploma the graduation paper must be defended for the grade "5" and the weighted average grade must be at least 4,60, where all grades from diploma supplement are taken into account.
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Degrees conferred
Master of Arts in Education
Study programme version structure :
Module type
total ECTS credits
General studies
24.0
Core studies
30.0
Special studies
48.0
Graduation thesis
18.0
Total
120.0
  • +
       MAIN SPECIALITY 1: vocational teacher
    • +
         MODULE: Subjects in General Educational Sciences and Psychology 24.0 ECTS credits (General studies)
      Aims
      - to support the development of an understanding of the psychological and ethical aspects of human beings and work in the contexts of the individual,
      the group and civil society and science and technology;
      - create the conditions for understanding the mental processes underlying learning and development in learning for people of all ages and for noticing and analyzing the developmental needs of learners;
      - provide opportunities for understanding and systematically addressing the major issues of andragogy, supporting awareness of the andragogue's identity, and understanding the specificities of adult development and learning.
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      Learning outcomes
      After completing the module the student:
      - understands the psychological and ethical aspects of man and work in the context of the individual,

      the group and civil society, and in the context of science and technology;
      - understands the psychic processes underlying learning and development and their biological basis and assessment principles in the context of learning and developmental needs of people of different ages;
      - understands the subjectivity of self-development as a major problem in andragogy and the peculiarities of adult development and learning, adaptation processes and learning situations in different professional and learning contexts.
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      Compulsory courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Work/Industrial Psychology and Ethics
      EME0030
      6.0
      4.0
      4.0
      0.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Learning and Individual Differences
      KAM7040.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      Andragogy
      KAN7049.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      4.0
      0.0
      0.0
      E
      S
      Total: 18.0 ECTS credits
      Elective courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Special Educational Needs
      KAE7033.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      1.0
      0.0
      1.0
      E
      SK
      Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Educational Studies
      KAT7022.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      History of Educational Thinking
      KAT7035.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      4.0
      0.0
      0.0
      E
      S
      Student with Learning and Behavioural Difficulties in the Classroom
      KAT7038.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      0.0
      A
      S
      Usage of Voice in Teaching
      KUM7135.FK
      3.0
      2.0
      1.0
      0.0
      1.0
      A
      S
      Youth and Youth Studies
      TPN7026.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      S
      ELU - Enhanced Learning Unlimited
      YID6001.YM
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Total: at least 6.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Core subjects 1: Labour Market and Vocational Education 24.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)
      Aims
      - to support the development of understanding of the application of corporate governance principles in an organization;

      - to support the development of an understanding of the links between economic, labor market and vocational training, regulation, educational policy developments and current challenges;
      - to support the development of understanding of the characteristics and concepts of work-out, and the application of skills for analyzing, mentoring and evaluating work-out;
      - to support the development of understanding of methodology and regulatory frameworks in support of curriculum development and of readiness to design, evaluate and manage curriculum development in VET.
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      Learning outcomes
      After completing the module the student:
      - understands the principles of corporate governance in the context of the organization's system of procedures;


      - analyze macroeconomic and micro-level problems of the links between economy, labor market and vocational education, factors influencing them, as well as Estonian vocational education policy and development of vocational education, based on national regulations and relevant data;
      - Analyze the theoretical approaches, principles, methods and peculiarities of assessment of work-out, making connections with the context and practice of work-leaving;
      - understands the theoretical concepts, conceptual foundations of vocational education curricula and the problems and factors influencing curriculum design;
      - Analyzes the principles of preparation, assessment and management of curriculum development of a vocational school according to the specialty taught and the requirements set for the curriculum.
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      Compulsory courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Workplace Learning
      KAV7110.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Management of curriculum development in vocational education
      KAV7112.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Labour Market and Vocational Education
      KAV7114.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      General Management
      MMO5631
      6.0
      4.0
      3.0
      0.0
      1.0
      E
      SK
      Total: 18.0 ECTS credits
      Elective courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Product Development and Quality
      EME0040
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Fundamentals of Economics
      TET0150
      6.0
      4.0
      3.0
      0.0
      1.0
      E
      K
      Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
      TMJ3300
      6.0
      4.0
      1.0
      0.0
      3.0
      E
      SK
      Total: at least 6.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Speciality foreign language 6.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)
      Aims
      To develop the student's professional and sectoral foreign language skills.
      Learning outcomes
      The student understands and compiles professional foreign language texts,
      is able to express his / her views fluently in a foreign language.
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      Elective courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      English for Special Purposes I
      LCE6541.HT
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      English for Special Purposes II
      LCE6542.HT
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      Academic English
      LCE7302.HT
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      Total: at least 6.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Speciality Studies 2: Educational Research 12.0 ECTS credits (Special studies)
      Aims
      - to support the development of understanding the basic principles and design of educational research;

      - to develop competencies in qualitative and quantitative approaches and the possibilities of integrating these in one´s research;
      - to provide opportunities for conducting independent research, incl. the application of appropriate research methods.
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      Learning outcomes
      After completing the module the student:
      - applies independently the competencies necessary for conducting educational research;


      - recognises, studies and offers solutions to problems related to vocational education;
      - compiles and implements a research plan and applies appropriate research methods;
      - acquires a research experience.
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      Compulsory courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Master Thesis seminar I
      KAI7005.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      0.0
      A
      K
      Master Thesis seminar II
      KAI7006.HR
      3.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Methodology of Educational Research
      KAI7012.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      A
      S
      Total: 12.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Core subjects 3: Specialty Elective Module 24.0 ECTS credits (Special studies)
      Aims
      This module consists of three elective modules: Entrepreneurship Pedagogy (24 ECTS),
      Vocational Pedagogy (24 ECTS), Engineering Pedagogy (24 ECTS). Students should elect only one of these modules.

      Goals of the Submodule of Entrepreneurship Pedagogy:
      - to develop a systemic understanding of the main economic processes, the importance of an entrepreneurial attitude in the labor market and the nature, processes, business planning and development of entrepreneurship;
      - to develop a science-based and systematic understanding of entrepreneurship education and its implementation in the context of general and vocational education and lifelong learning;
      - to support the development of a didactic and science-based planning, delivery and assessment of entrepreneurship education based on the learner and the curriculum.
      Compulsory subjects of the submodule (24 ECTS): KAV7116.HR. TET0150, TMJ3300, KAV7117.HR

      Goals of the Submodule of Vocational Pedagogy:
      - to support the development of a science-based and systematic understanding of vocational pedagogy as a sub-discipline of educational sciences, the philosophical foundations of vocational pedagogy and vocational education;
      - to create an opportunity for a science-based understanding of the professionalism of a vocational teacher, to plan one's development as a vocational teacher and to support the development of readiness to support a colleague and for collaborative professional activities;
      - to support the development of a research-based understanding of the basic principles of vocational education didactics, theoretical approaches and the nature and application of output-based vocational education in the planning of the learning process;
      - to support the development of the didactic competence of a vocational teacher and the readiness to plan, conduct and evaluate teaching based on the learner and the curriculum on the basis of science.
      Compulsory subjects of the submodule (24 ECTS): KAV7115.HR, KAV7109.HR, KAV7111.HR, EME0010

      Goals of the Submodule of Engineering Pedagogy:
      - to develop a science-based and systematic understanding of the basic concepts, theories and effective interactive learning process of engineering pedagogy;
      - to develop an understanding of innovative models, strategies and methods of engineering pedagogy for integrated teaching of technology, taking into account the individual differences of students and different learning styles;
      - to support the engineering pedagogical competence of a technical teacher in the learning process in order to plan, effectively carry out and analyze the learning process, provide feedback and evaluate students' learning outcomes.
      Compulsory subjects of the submodule (24 ECTS): EME0140, EME0150, EME0010, EME0040
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      Learning outcomes
      Student who has passed the submodule of Entrepreneurship Pedagogy:

      - understands the most important basic economic theory theories and the connections between the main economic processes in the context of everyday economic phenomena and entrepreneurship;
      - understands the nature of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship, the principles of business economics and marketing in the context of practical business planning;
      - understands the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship education and its science-based application in business education planning in the context of general and vocational education and lifelong learning;
      - implements integrative didactically effective study tasks, study materials and expedient creative and development projects and technological tools that support the achievement of learning outcomes, based on the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship education, the curriculum and the characteristics of the students.

      Student who have passed the submodule of Vocational Pedagogy:
      - understands vocational pedagogy as a sub-discipline of educational sciences, the development of vocational pedagogy, philosophical bases and modern approaches, and the application of vocational pedagogy in the context of vocational education and school culture;
      - analyzes the expression of the professionalism of a vocational teacher in work tasks, support of a colleague and cooperation networks, as well as the needs of his / her professional development as a vocational teacher, based on competence requirements and theoretical approaches to professionalism;
      - plans studies based on the curriculum of the specialty, the application plan of the module, study organization documents, the share of independent work, practice and theory and the integration of key competencies, professional and general studies, setting study goals and learning outcomes and scientifically choosing study and assessment methods;
      - selects and compiles study tasks that integrate professional competencies, didactically effective study materials and uses practical technological tools based on the peculiarities of learners and learning outcomes.

      Student who have passed the submodule of Engineering Pedagogy:
      - understands the basic concepts, theories and new developments of engineering pedagogy;
      - understands the theoretical bases, basic concepts of technical education didactics and is able to competently and creatively plan didactically effective teaching, taking into account the individual differences of students and different learning styles;
      - is able to conduct interactive teaching, applying modernized learner-centered learning and assessment methods;
      - selects and compiles study tasks that integrate professional competencies, didactically effective study materials and uses practical technological tools based on the peculiarities of learners and learning outcomes.
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      Elective courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Technology Supporting the Implementation of Didactics of STEM
      EME0010
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Product Development and Quality
      EME0040
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      2.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Engineering Pedagogy Science
      EME0140
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      Didactics of Technical Training and Research and Presentation of Results
      EME0150
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      H
      SK
      VET Teacher´s Professionalism
      KAV7109.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      4.0
      0.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Didactics of vocational education
      KAV7111.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Vocational Pedagogy
      KAV7115.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      3.0
      0.0
      1.0
      E
      SK
      Enterpreneurship Education
      KAV7116.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      2.0
      0.0
      2.0
      E
      SK
      Practice in Enterprenurship Education
      KAV7117.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Fundamentals of Economics
      TET0150
      6.0
      4.0
      3.0
      0.0
      1.0
      E
      K
      Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
      TMJ3300
      6.0
      4.0
      1.0
      0.0
      3.0
      E
      SK
      Total: at least 24.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Practice 12.0 ECTS credits (Special studies)
      Aims
      - create opportunities for science-based planning of the learning process,
      analysis of the learner's development needs, and development of a safe learning environment supporting learning and learner development;
      - create opportunities for cooperation in the development of professional training, the development of a vocational training image and the support of a colleague in the context of vocational training practice;
      - to create opportunities for understanding the identity and comprehensive professional role of the vocational teacher and for developing the readiness of the vocational teacher to reflect on his / her work and professional development as a self-directed learner in the context of lifelong learning.
      Show more...
      Learning outcomes
      Student who has passed the module:
      - Plans, in collaboration with colleagues,

      the learning activities and teaching methods, materials and assessment to support the achievement of learning outcomes, taking into account the importance of the curriculum, educational institution practices, learning organization records, theory, practice and independent work;
      - develops a secure learning environment that supports learning and student development by engaging learners in learning activities and assessment, guiding group processes and taking into account the specificities of the target group, the impact of their personal role model on values and occupational health and safety requirements;
      - Analyzes best practices of VET institutions in cooperation and support activities with colleagues, development of vocational training and image building of VET;
      - understands the identity and comprehensive professional role of the vocational teacher and his / her willingness to work as a vocational teacher and the need for professional development based on reflection in his / her pedagogical activities.
      Show more...
      Elective courses:
      Course title
      Course code
      ECTS credits
      Hours per week
      Lectures
      Practices
      Exercises
      E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
      Teaching semester
      Practice in vocational pedagogy II (Internship)
      KAV7105.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      E
      SK
      Practice in Vocational Pedagogy I (Internship)
      KAV7118.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Practice Abroad I in Vocational Pedagogy (Internship)
      KAV7119.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Practice Abroad II in Vocational Pedagogy (Internship)
      KAV7120.HR
      6.0
      4.0
      0.0
      4.0
      0.0
      A
      SK
      Total: at least 12.0 ECTS credits
    • +
         MODULE: Master Thesis 18.0 ECTS credits (Graduation thesis)
      Aims
      The master´s thesis is an independent research paper written
      by the student in which a theoretical problem in educational science or a problem that has manifested itself in pedagogic reality is handled, its manifestations, reasons, background factors and possible solutions are studied.
      The master´s thesis can be both a theoretical study and a paper seeking practical applications.
      The goals of writing a master´s thesis are:
      - the development of of skills in using speciality-based literature and databases;
      - the acquisition of experience of independently conducting research;
      - the development of skills in creating a scientific text on the basis of the terminology acquired during the studies;
      - the ability to see and analyze problems of vocational education and offer scientifically grounded solutions to these problems;
      - to enrich the pedagogic reality with new ideas and solutions.
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      Learning outcomes
      A student who has defended a master´s thesis:
      - has acquired theoretical knowledge on the topic chosen for research;


      - has acquired methodological knowledge and skills related to research;
      - knows how to use databases and work with specialty-based literature both in his/her mother tongue and in one foreign language;
      - is able to analyze the manifestations of educational reality with reliable methods and to create conceptualized knowledge of this reality.
      Show more...
    • +
         STANDARD STUDY PLAN: Autumn daytime study
    • +
         STANDARD STUDY PLAN: Autumn session-based study
      • +
           1st Semester
      • +
           2nd Semester
      • +
           3rd Semester
      • +
           4th Semester
      • +
           5th Semester
      • +
           0 Semester
  • +
       MINOR SPECIALITY MODULE: Teaching STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
    Aims
    - to develop a scientific and systemic understanding of the key terms and theories of Engineering Pedagogy and the effective interactive teaching process;

    - to develop an understanding of contemporary models, strategies and methods of Engineering Pedagogy for integrated teaching of engineering and technology, taking into account the students´ individual needs and different learning styles;
    - to support the competences of technical teachers in engineering pedagogy in the teaching process, in order to plan, effectively conduct and analyse the teaching process, to give feedback to students and evaluate their learning outcomes;
    - to develop an understanding of the process of contemporary product development and innovation, the principles of standardisation and quality, and their implementation in teaching engineering.

    The module is accredited by International Society for Engineering Pedagogy, those who have passed the module may apply for qualification of International Engineering educator ING-PAED IGIP (www.igip.org ) Please consult with Estonian Centre for Engineering Pedagogy.
    Show more...
    Learning outcomes
    After completing the module the student:
    - understands the basic concepts, theories and contemporary development trends of Engineering Pedagogy;


    - understands the theoretical principles and key concepts of didactics in teaching engineering, plans competently and creatively a didactically sound teaching process, by taking into account the students’ individual needs and different learning styles;
    - is able to manage interactive learning by implementing contemporary learner-centered teaching and assessment methods;
    - chooses and compiles learning tasks which integrate speciality-based competences, didactically effective teaching materials, and uses appropriate technological study aids, taking into account the differences of the learners and the learning outcomes;
    - understands the basic principles and strategies of product management and innovation, standardisation and quality, is able to implement these in his/her work and to analyse the efficiency of his/her work.

    Please consult with Estonian Centre for Engineering Pedagogy.
    Show more...
    Compulsory courses:
    Course title
    Course code
    ECTS credits
    Hours per week
    Lectures
    Practices
    Exercises
    E/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.
    Teaching semester
    Technology Supporting the Implementation of Didactics of STEM
    EME0010
    6.0
    4.0
    2.0
    2.0
    0.0
    A
    SK
    Work/Industrial Psychology and Ethics
    EME0030
    6.0
    4.0
    4.0
    0.0
    0.0
    A
    SK
    Product Development and Quality
    EME0040
    6.0
    4.0
    2.0
    2.0
    0.0
    E
    SK
    Engineering Pedagogy Science
    EME0140
    6.0
    4.0
    2.0
    0.0
    2.0
    E
    SK
    Didactics of Technical Training and Research and Presentation of Results
    EME0150
    6.0
    4.0
    2.0
    0.0
    2.0
    H
    SK
    Workplace Learning
    KAV7110.HR
    3.0
    2.0
    2.0
    0.0
    0.0
    E
    SK
    General Management
    MMO5631
    6.0
    4.0
    3.0
    0.0
    1.0
    E
    SK
    Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
    TMJ3300
    6.0
    4.0
    1.0
    0.0
    3.0
    E
    SK
    Total: 45.0 ECTS credits