A presentation in Culture Health and Wellbeing Conference 2017 in Bristol. Topic: What do craft student teachers learn about instructing craft making for older people during their teaching practice in elderly care setting?

1. DEVELOPING THE CRAFT STUDENT TEACHERS’
COMPETENCES IN ELDERLY CARE
Mari Salovaara, Doctoral Student
Craft Teacher Education
University of Helsinki
mari.salovaara@helsinki.fi

2. THE STUDY
What do craft student teachers learn about
instructing craft making for older people during
their teaching practice?
Photo: Carolina Mobarac

3. CRAFT TEACHER EDUCATION
Subject teacher education
5 years, 300 study points/ECTS
Includes pedagogical studies (60 ECTS)
Focus is on school pedagogy
But some go to work in other settings
Teaching practice is part of the pedagogical
studies (20-23 ECTS)

4. THE SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Craft student teachers (14) designed and conducted craft workshops in
elderly care settings
­ Part of master-level teaching practice
2 student had previous experience of teaching adults
2 had previous experience of working with older people
All students had experience of teaching crafts in school

5. THE DATA
Audio recorded group discussions, 30-90
minutes
­ At the beginning & at the end of the teaching practice
Written learning diaries, 3-13 pages
­ Fairly loose instructions
Teaching practice portfolios, 8-14 pages
­ Including e.g. reflections before and after the lessons,
setting personal goals, lesson plans

6. ANALYSIS (IN PROGRESS)
Qualitative content analysis
Coding phases
­ before / during / after teaching practice
Coding content
­ learners
­ subject matter & educational goals
­ instruction & methods
­ communication & interaction

7. VISION OF THE LEARNERS
At start
Physical constraints, functional decline
= What are the older participants
able to do?
” You can’t use too thin yarns, or…
because of poor sight. So basically we
were wondering about the challenges
and constraints.”
During teaching practice
Memory disorders
Carefulness, underestimating their
work, skills & capability
”They asked constantly, if they are doing it
right or if it’s good enough”
”They didn’t remember anything from last
week when they came in. But they
remembered the making! Also, they were
more confident in choosing colours.”

8. VISION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER & EDUCATIONAL
GOALS
At start
No need to learn/teach certain
skills
Activation, empowerment & joy
Independent initiative
Suitable techniques?
Sociability & collaboration
between the elderly, making
connection
During teaching practice
Making crafts really activates
Empowerment despite needing help
Experimenting with techniques
Sociability & interaction may be
more important than the making itself

9. VISION OF INSTRUCTION & METHODS
At start
Instructional methods are little
reflected
Practical things: environment,
materials, time management, ability
of participants
Suitable role for an instructor?
During teaching practice
Motivation, encouragement is
important
Individual instruction
How much hands-on help is ok?
Role: to inspire, encourage &
facilitate

10. COMMUNICATION & INTERACTION
At start
Equality & reciprocity
Respect towards older people
”I wish to create a spirit of community,
and that we would be equal with the
older participants and they would feel
comfortable to ask for advice whenever
they need.”
During the practice
Basically, communication is the same
as with anyone
Some challenges due to memory &
mental issues
Good connection is the most
important
Significance of sociality

11. CONCLUSIONS
Mental barriers of participation are higher than the
physical ones
Interaction & being together is the main target;
making something together facilitates this
Individual differences are huge; differentiation
The instructor & suitable pedagogy play an
important role
Student teachers are able to adapt their pedagogy
to different contexts
BUT important to know in advance something general
about special issues
Photo: Carolina Mobarac

12. WHAT’S NEXT?
Continue with the analysis
Submitting the article during 2017
More about the Handmade Wellbeing project &
my research
craftwellbeing.eu
Thank you!
Photo: Carolina Mobarac