Nursing Finnish in a Virtual 360 Learning Environment – SUVI360

The SUVI360 project, implemented as a group project by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Centria University of Applied Sciences and the The Federation of Education in Central Ostrobothnia, Kpedu, strengthens the competence of nursing teachers in the plain language, language awareness and the use of virtual learning environment in the teaching of immigrant nursing students.

The social welfare and health care sector is becoming more international, and it is estimated that by 2030, one in ten care workers will be recruited from abroad. Health care professionals are required to have sufficient Finnish language skills, which is important not only for patient safety but also for the professional identity of care workers and the social relations of the workplace. The language skills of immigrant nursing students should be supported both in education and in working life. In order to enable bilingual (English-Finnish) teaching, it is important to strengthen the language awareness of nursing teachers as well as the competence of plain language.

Target group

The primary target group of the project is secondary vocational education and higher education nursing teachers. The project also benefits nursing students, clinical instructors, and teachers interested in bilingual teaching in other fields of education.

Activities

The project explores competence needs related to language awareness, the use of virtual teaching methods and practical training guidance through workshops for teachers, clinical instructors and immigrant students. National webinars and workshops are used to promote nursing teachers’ knowledge of language awareness, the use of plain language, and virtual teaching methods as part of bilingual nursing education.

Results

The project increases the competence of nursing teachers to implement bilingual teaching and encourages the diverse use of virtual teaching methods. The project produces openly available material and publications and organizes webinars to strengthen teachers’ competence. In addition, the project produces an openly available virtual learning environment, which takes into account plain language and different levels of language skills. The learning environment supports the professional Finnish language learning of nursing students and the transition to clinical training environments.

The results of the project can be found here: Hoitotyön suomea virtuaalisessa 360-oppimisympäristössä (SUVI360) – SEAMK Projektit