Page 35 - TLÜ aastaaruanne 2014

Alumni feedback questionnaire
In 2014 the third alumni feedback questionnaire was concluded, a total of 1,050 students responded to the questionnaire, representing 60.9% of all alumni.
General satisfaction with studies had slightly increased at all study-levels. However, the biggest increase took place in the evalu- ations of the graduates of doctoral study: the satisfaction level on a 5-point scale was 3.67 in 2012 and 3.88 in 2014. The average evalu- ations indicate that at both Bachelor´s and Master´s level students were more satisfied with supervision from the practice establishment rather than that of the university and the university practice supervi- sion was one of the aspects with the lowest satisfaction level. Partici- pation of international members of the teaching staff in teaching has also received critical evaluation (2.57).
2.3 CONTINUING EDUCATION
Tallinn University offers continuing education in all the subject fields of TU. During 2014, a total of 14, 476 learners participated in TU continuing education programmes. The Institute of Health Sciences and Sports was for the first time the biggest provider of continuing studies (4,115 learners) with numerous short-term courses and lec- tures. The Continuing Education Centre offered courses to different educational employees (3,156 learners); some of the courses are long- term, lasting the whole study year (160 hours). The training centre of the Open University offers study opportunities mainly to enterprises, public sector establishments and individuals (2, 346 learners). The Pedagogical College, Rakvere College, the Baltic Film and Media School and the Institute of Ecology were more significant providers of continuing education. The number of learners in open degree study and in the project A Year at the University has increased rapidly. In 2014, a total of 854 learners participated in open degree studies, and of these 129 learners completed various A Year at the University programmes. The highest number of participants were in the pro- grammes of psychology, organizational behaviour and Asian culture. The Student Academy offers studies to upper secondary school stu- dents; in 2014, preparatory studies were offered within a framework of 14 courses with 371 participants. The most popular were courses of applied psychology, practical photography and communication.
In 2014, the biggest promoters of lifelong learning were recog- nized. The Training Event of the Year was “Koolituskino” (Training Cinema) with the project managers being Ann Leppiman and Too- mas Sääs. This is a new learning format initiated by the Baltic Film and Media School and the doctoral school of preparatory education in the Institute of Social Work (project manager Karmen Toros). This
initiative is an innovative continuing education project that helps to reduce the risk of interrupted studies, strengthen cooperation with the supervisor, increase the learner´s awareness of the arrangement of the topic of the doctoral thesis and facilitate completion of doctor- al studies within the nominal period of studies. Gertrud Kasemaa, a doctoral student of the Institute of Educational Sciences and a teach- er trainer, and Kirsti Pedak, a lecturer in special physical education at the Institute of Sports and Health Sciences, were recognized as the Educators of the Year. Irina Birjukova, programme coordinator of the Continuing Education Centre and Elina Tahvel, programme coordinator of the Open University, were recognized as the Train- ing Managers of the Year. Lecturer Andrus Rinde of the Institute of Informatics was recognized as the Internal Educator of the Year. Ene Käpp, the long-time head of the Centre for Continuing Education, the oldest unit of TU engaged in promoting lifelong learning, was awarded a TU badge of merit at the lifelong learning recognition event on 12 December 2014. A TU letter of acknowledgement for long-term cooperation was awarded to Anneli Peetso and Monica Sakk, programme coordinators of the Centre for Continuing Edu- cation and to specialists Tiiu Rosin and Tõnu Käpp. The Training Partner of the Year titles were awarded to three partners:
» Kristi Mikiver, who collaborated on the staff planning training programme for public sector employees
» Estonian Sports Medicine Cluster that participated in developing and marketing of the “Train consciously” lecture series for hobby athletes. A total of 1, 644 people participated in the successful lecture series during the year.
» The Senior Management Competency Centre of the Government Office that cooperates with TU Open University in planning and implementing training programmes considering the needs of the future generation of top-level managers.
Support programme for novice teachers
In 2014 an induction year programme for novice teachers as well as mentor trainings were organised and the induction year implemen- tation experience was shared with specialists of other countries.
A total of 147 novice teachers participated in the induction year programme. Participants found the programme highly useful – rated at 4.96 (on a 7-point scale). The participants made a positive mention of the confidence, communication and analysis skills that they had ac- quired from the induction year seminars. They recommended involv- ing both a novice teacher of a previous year and an experienced teacher in the programme. Novice teachers expect more support and counsel- ling while working with children with special needs and preventing problems that the novice teachers face during the first working months.
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