Good practice of teaching

Good teaching is valued, recognised and supported at the University of Tartu.

The good practice of teaching includes the principles and values based on which the university members can evaluate and develop excellent teaching. 

 

Excellent teaching is learning-centred 

In learning-centred teaching, the students are involved in the learning process during the design, conduct as well as the evaluation and feedback stages of studies. It uses purposefully chosen teaching methods that allow active participation of students. The chosen grading method supports deep learning and provides students with relevant and meaningful feedback. The learning process is effective. The coherence of the curriculum is monitored so that the sequence and content of the courses in the curriculum is logical and enables the learner’s comprehensive development.
 

Excellent teaching is based on a scientific way of thinking 

In science-based teaching, members of the teaching staff are aware of the latest trends and achievements in their field, and their teaching is based on both the professional and teaching-related research results. The development of the students’ scientific way of thinking (e.g. discussing different or opposing views, credibility of sources) is supported. Students are encouraged and guided to work with scientific literature and participate actively in research.
 

Excellent teaching is based on cooperation

Cooperation is founded on mutual respect and honour. Cooperation is conducted between members of the teaching staff, students, practitioners, as well as all other actors who support and develop studies. Excellent teaching is collaborative with definite objectives: strengthen the integrity of the curricula and the connections between courses, support the development of general competence (including cooperation skills), converge academic education and practice, support the development of academic culture. There is cooperation when performing various educational tasks as well as during practical training and increasing the efficiency of work organisation. Effective cooperation within the curriculum contributes to the achievement of the learning outcomes of the curriculum.
 

Excellent teaching supports creativity and entrepreneurship 

Creativity develops based on knowledge and supports orientation in different situations, coping with the unexpected and finding new solutions. Excellent teaching encourages creative thinking and purposeful action. For teaching that supports students’ creativity and entrepreneurship, the teaching staff skillfully use teaching methods that sustain and shape learning creativity and student initiative. Excellent teaching is based on the teacher’s creativity in his/her own field. The planning of learning activities, conducting studies and evaluation of the students’ creative and innovative thinking values risk-taking and purposeful action. Feedback is provided in a manner that enriches the students’ understanding of creativity and entrepreneurship and does not inhibit it.
 

Excellent teaching leads to self-analysis and supports individual development 

In the process of excellent teaching, both the teacher and the student are involved in the self-reflection and personal development process. Both learn during the learning process. Members of the teaching staff are engaged in active reflection, develop themselves and are a role model of a lifelong learner. The personal development and self-analysis skills of the teaching staff are strengthened by reflecting on one’s activities, career planning and developing the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve the set targets. Similarly, excellent teaching supports diverse student development. Students are encouraged to set learning goals and plan their careers, their self-analysis is instructed and they receive feedback. Attention is paid to the development of the students’ learning skills and shaping a lifelong learning mindset.
 

Excellent teaching links learning to real life

Excellent teaching seeks a balance between theory and practice, proceeding from the actual needs and opportunities to apply the acquired knowledge. Teaching methods and assignments support and develop the skill to build and detect connections, offer sufficient opportunities for self-expression and enable to associate what has been learned with real-life. The teachers themselves see and direct their students to see their profession as a part of society and reflect and interpret both on their own and the students’ experiences. Excellent teaching supports learning in such a way that the graduate is prepared for working life and contributing to society.