I study ECEC teachers’ continuous learning in times of change
The series Research in the Spotlight allows researchers from Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius to discuss their current research activities.
Salla Paasovaara-Pösö is a university teacher in the Unit of Education, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius.
Teachers remain committed to learning despite workplace challenges
Over the past decade, Finnish early childhood education and care has undergone a series of policy reforms that have broadened teachers’ roles, increased their responsibilities and raised expectations regarding professional competence. In addition to pedagogical expertise, teachers are increasingly expected to demonstrate leadership skills. At the same time, digitalisation and the growing diversity of children and families require ongoing development of professional knowledge and skills. As a result, supporting continuous learning among ECEC teachers has become more important than ever.
My research is based on interviews with ECEC teachers. Through these interviews, I examine how teachers describe continuous learning, the opportunities and challenges they associate with it, and how responsibilities and individual initiative in learning are understood as part of everyday ECEC practice.
The findings so far indicate that ECEC teachers are committed to continuous learning and regard developing their expertise as an essential part of their profession. However, heavy workloads and multiple competing demands can make learning difficult. Teachers are expected not only to develop their own expertise but also to support learning within their teams and across the wider workplace community. At the same time, responsibilities are not always clearly defined, which can create challenges for both continuous learning and pedagogical leadership. The findings suggest that continuous learning could be better supported by strengthening structures for collaboration and constructing learning-oriented workplace communities.
Research supports the development of early childhood education and care
My research enhances understanding of how ECEC teachers experience and describe continuous learning as part of their work. It provides new insights into opportunities, challenges and responsibilities associated with learning, as well as into the ways teachers can influence their own professional development.
The findings can be applied in ECEC teacher education and workplace development. In my role as a university teacher at Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, I am able to bring current research directly into teaching. The research helps teachers, students and ECEC leaders develop practices that support continuous learning and strengthen learning-oriented workplace communities, ultimately contributing both to the quality of early childhood education and care and to staff wellbeing.
