VOC 2

Our vocational pedagogy part 2 began 17.12.13. We had AC session like usually. The VOC2 is all about 5 themes so we were divided into those five groups. The themes were Global and Multicultural Activities, Entrepreneurship, Interaction with the Working Community, Sustainability (Sustainable development) and Special Needs Education. My group is Special Needs Education.
Our task was to prepare a learning environment and teaching material to teach our classmates our topic. We had an hour to plan what we are going to do. Then we presented our plans. In my group we decided to prepare three cases and let our classmates figure out some solutions. Our cases will have three different views: student with special needs, parent of a student with special needs and teacher who is teaching students with special needs. Our teaching should answer few questions:1. How is the vocational special needs education realized/fulfilled in the Finnish educational system? 2.  How is the special needs education carried out specifically in the vocational education? 3. Which Finnish legislature governs the special needs education? 4. What elements does an individual educational plan (= IEP = “HOJKS” in Finnish) contain, and how does the IEP process proceed? 5. Inclusive models and segregative models, what are they? We decided to have a Skype meeting before New Year and prepare our topic some more.

During the Skype meeting we shared the work with our group. My job was to create the learning environment. I decided the set up blog using Wordpress for it's multiple moderator properties.

We created the material to our blog while our second and third Skype meeting.

Our first task to others was to watch a video. The video was a short story of a student with special needs. It was supposed to be a success story of our special education system.

Our second task for others was to write a response to a worried parent. That task was supposed to lead our fellow student teachers to read legislation and different practices at schools and other organizations.

Our third task for others was to create a video based on everyones own interests. The theme was special education of course. We left the assignment loose so that everyone could focus on what they wanted to focus on.

We thought our tasks were quite doable and easy but the truth was some what different. We had some feedback that our tasks were too loose and open.

Here is the link to our learning environment:
http://voc2specialeducation.wordpress.com

Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
Global and multi-cultural activities
My own definition: Sustainable development is development that does not compromise future generation’s possibilities to enjoy clean environment, different cultures and steady economics.

I have to confess that I have just recently read a few definitions to sustainable development as a part of my other studies.

Defined definition: One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

 a. Please explain briefly your own interest in Sustainable Development.
Well, to me environmental values are easiest to understand. The cycle is much more demanding when we are talking about economics or social not to even mention the cultural aspects.

In my life sustainability is present in some parts of it. In a supermarket I almost always prefer organic products although they cost a lot more. I do that because I’m afraid of the chemicals used in non-organic farming. But I also think that those veggies I buy are not that much environment friendly. I think farmers don’t always farm organic way they just put the organic stamp on their products. I do not consume meat because I think people shouldn’t do that. Meat isn’t sustainable or ethical.

I pay extra to my electricity company for wind power so that I can have better self-conscience. I know I should consume less, but it’s harder.

I believe in equality and equal rights but its unbelievable how slowly world is changing.

c. How should one direct, govern and teach sustainable development in schools?
I think schools have to lead by example. It’s important to have well designed recycling system so that the students will learn to recycle correctly. Students should be taught basic economics and cultural aspects. Students need to be taught awareness.

d. How does sustainable development link to your area of work or study? (Think of the three spheres of sustainability: economic, social and environmental) Please give some ideas of how you could combine or apply a sustainability perspective to your subject.
In the field of beauty sustainability is still quite far away. Beauty markets are huge. The chemicals used in different products are difficult things. For example hair dyes are known to be toxic for environment and consumers, they are carcinogenic, allergenic and mutagenic but the use of hair dyes is increasing. Most of the beauty professionals have to give up on their career because of allergies. Beauty products and services are sold using uncertainty and low self-esteem of consumers. Products travel a long distance and the raw materials of those products consume natural resources. Packaging is often heavy and multi-layered.

On the other hand beauty products and services are supposed to make consumers feel better for themselves. At least for a while. Consumers feel more beautiful and wellbeing. Also the selection of organic products is increasing.

In my work I can prepare students to be more aware of those things mentioned earlier. We can focus on alternative ways to do things, to protect ourselves properly, to prefer more eco-friendly products and to make our customers to feel better for themselves. I think awareness is the key.

 e. What was especially interesting or even surprising for you in this material (texts, video, and pdfs)?
I really enjoyed how sustainability was demonstrated in the video. Although economical sustainability was demonstrated through environmental values. I kind of expected economical development to be more - economical. I understand that if something costs a lot it usually consumes a lot too. But is it all?


Optional: We would need 3,28 earths is everyone lives like me.


Entrepreneurship

1. Business idea



I had some difficulties with this task. I’ve never considered myself as an entrepreneur and I found it kind of hard to make up a proper business idea. My entrepreneurship and the effort for this task is more like what’s present in everyday life.



If I had my own hair salon it would be something like this.



So my product would be a hair salon where you can have your hair done in very peaceful environment and where he customer will have all the attention of the employees. The thing that states the salon from many other salons is the fact that the salon has few different spaces or rooms. The washhouse and the parlour are two different rooms with soundproofed door between them. Also the cosmetic products used in the salon are healthy, ecological and custom made. No traditional harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, petroleum based ingredients or oxidizing hair colours are used. All the products are better for people and environment.  The air inside the salon does not smell like ammonia or sulphur compounds.



The salon is focused on cuts, colours and different treatments for hair and mind.
There are few problems or weaknesses in the concept. Not all the needs of the clients can be fulfilled. Perms cannot be done. It’s also hard to find the right customers at the beginning.

The customers will have a peaceful environment, pure conscience and full attention of employees. There won’t be ringing phones, interrupting customers or bad smells. The customers also have custom made products. The hairdresser mixes the exact right products for every customer.
My target customers are mid aged women who need a time off and who are interested in ecological products. They might also suffer hair colour related allergies.

The marketing part is a bit tricky. I’m not that much into marketing but I would have a nice web pages.

It would be difficult to find a perfect place for the salon. Besides the place I also would need some money, around 20 000 euros.

2. What part of this Prezi did you find useful and not so useful?

I really liked you’ve gathered so much good information in one place. Especially I liked those good practises I can adapt to my teaching.

3. Entrepreneurship help organizations?

Here in Espoo region we have plenty of different instances that help entrepreneurs or future entrepreneurs on their journey. Information and advices can be found from Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment or EnterpriceEspoo (YritysEspoo). There is also possibility to take part for entrepreneurship training. For example in Omnia we have Further Qualification for Entrepreneurs and Specialist Qualification in Business Management (formerly Specialist Qualification for Entrepreneurs). The first one mentioned is mainly for starting entrepreneur. During that degree course you will obtain information for example about different instances that help entrepreneurs.



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