Teacher onboarding
Teacher onboarding path
This page gathers the must-knows of the Teacher onboarding into one place. Your personal onboarding path has been planned and organised by the Learning Services of your School.
This page is designed specifically to serve onboarding. However, the content on this page holds relevance to all teachers.
In addition to the must-knows, each section of this page includes learning tasks, that guide you to learn more about the topic and provide inspiration and support for your further development as a teacher.
The intended learning outcomes for the Teacher onboarding
After Teacher onboarding path, you
- have acquainted yourself with teaching and learning culture at Aalto;
- have acquainted yourself with the teaching and learning environment and the teaching community of your school;
- are aware of the teaching related rules and regulations that need to be considered;
- are able to find more information and support for planning, implementing, assessing, and developing your teaching; and
- can identify and utilise opportunities for the further development as a teacher.
Learning tasks for this section
Reflect a minute on your personal learning goals and development needs for the Teacher onboarding.
- What are your expectations towards this onboarding?
- What kind of knowledge, skills, and support do you need to start teaching at Aalto?
Teaching and learning at Aalto University
In this section, we unveil the Aalto University's way of teaching and learning. As a new teacher, it is important to familiarise yourself with our values, code of conduct, strategy, and education-related plans. Learning Services and Wellbeing Desk are here to support you!
After this onboarding section, you
- have acquainted yourself with teaching and learning culture at Aalto University.
Our purpose, values, and way of working define our long-term direction
The Aalto University Code of Conduct is one way of putting our values and way of working — the foundation of our community culture — into practice
Aalto University's future is built upon a foundation of high-quality research, education, impact and shared values – responsibility, courage, and collaboration. The purpose of the university is to shape a sustainable future.
Aalto University Learning Services (LES) is responsible for all services which facilitate the smooth progression of studies at the university.
The Wellbeing Desk and the Wellbeing Chat service-pilot has ended. There is many other wellbeing services offered at Aalto, for example Mielen Chat and Mielen Sparri (Mental Chat and Sparring) are easily accessible digital mental wellbeing support services provided by Terveystalo (occupational health care). You find more info at Aalto's Wellbeing index.
Learning tasks for this section:
- Complete the training modules for staff about Code of Conduct and values, on equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as on cyber security and data protection. These trainings are available for employees in Workday Learning.
- Get inspired and listen to your colleagues at Aalto reflecting their ideas about teaching and learning in Future-Led Learning podcasts. This podcast series strives to develop the learning culture at Aalto University and offers a platform to university educators to reflect their ideas about teaching and learning.
- Take a moment to reflect on your wellbeing and wellbeing of the students. What is the meaning of wellbeing for you as a teacher? Oasis for Radical Wellbeing provides material, tools, and learning material to support the wellbeing of our community – get acquainted with the Supporting wellbeing in teaching toolkit and see if you can pick up something new for your own personal teaching toolkit.
Teaching and learning at your school
At Aalto University, it is possible to study technology, engineering, arts, and business. Aalto University consists of six schools. In addition, Aalto Open University courses are open to everyone regardless of background or age.
Information on teaching and learning in the schools, departments, and the other units of Aalto University is available on their webpages.
School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Aalto University
Workshops - Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Aalto University
For hourly-based teachers at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Aalto University
Equality and diversity at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Aalto University
Academic advising | Aalto University
Thesis advising in Aalto University | Aalto University
School of Arts, Design and Architecture Learning Services | Aalto University
School of Electrical Engineering | Aalto UniversityGuide for teachers – School of Electrical Engineering | Aalto University
Digitalisation of Courses in the School of Electrical Engineering | Aalto University
Equality, diversity and inclusion at the School of Electrical Engineering | Aalto University
School of Electrical Engineering Learning Services | Aalto University
School of Engineering | Aalto UniversityEquality in School of Engineering | Aalto University
School of Engineering Learning Services | Aalto University
Academic advising at the School of Engineering | Aalto University
Thesis advising in Aalto University | Aalto University
Teaching Forums at the School of Engineering | Aalto University
Learning tasks for this section
- Take a moment to browse through the main page of your School (aalto.fi, remember to log in).
- Can you find the strategic goals and initiatives of your own school? Reflect on which goal is the most meaningful for you in your teaching.
How to get started with teaching?
In this section, we have curated resources designed to help you to get started with teaching at Aalto University. Take your time to study about the programme and curriculum development; the rules and practicalities of teaching; pedagogical considerations that are to be recognised; and how to engage with digital teaching. We also recommend taking the Aalto pedagogical micro course, Quickstart for University Teaching.
After this onboarding section, you
- are aware of the teaching related rules and regulations that need to be considered; and
- are able to find more information and support for planning, implementing, assessing, and developing your teaching.
At Aalto University, teaching is divided into five periods. As a rule, one period lasts for 7 weeks and includes an examination week. This page has the dates for the teaching periods in ongoing curriculum period and at the plannig season, also in the next curriculum period.
Support and advice available for teachers as well as principles guiding the work of teachers.
On this page, you can find the main pedagogical principles for teaching at Aalto University.
Aalto University’s curriculum design guidelines and schedule aims at supporting sustainable, future led degree programmes.
A checklist for teaching practices and steps that need to be taken over the entire lifespan of a course.
In Learning spaces for teaching, you can find basic information on teaching and learning facilities in Aalto University campus.
Every teacher's core digital platforms include the student information system Sisu and the digital learning environment MyCourses.
Here, you will also find digital platforms that facilitate everyday tasks in contact and online teaching.
The Teacher services team organises training events, webinars and workshops for users of shared learning platforms and tools. MyCourses, Panopto, Turnitin, EXAM, Presemo
On this page we have gathered different teaching-related tools and guidelines on different themes to support the planning and implementing of teaching.
Finnish education system
New pedagogical micro course available: Quickstart for University Teaching
Welcome to the new pedagogical micro course, Quickstart for University Teaching. The course is targeted for new teachers, visiting lecturers, professors of practice and everyone interested in pedagogy. The course is available online for self-study, structured into five sequential topics, and it takes approximately two hours to complete.
Learning tasks for this section
- Orientate yourself with your upcoming teaching. Go through the steps that have been listed in the teaching practices during a lifespan of a course . Is there something that you need to know more about? Can you find the support services to help you with the matters that are unclear?
- If you would like to know more about the programme-level development and educational leadership at Aalto University, you can get acquainted with the Programme director's onboarding: Independent study material in Workday Learning:
- Familiarise your self with the digital learning environment MyCourses and, if needed, register for trainings designed to support digital teaching.
How to develop as a teacher?
In this concluding section, we delve into strategies for your professional development as a teacher at Aalto University. We offer a diverse array of support for enhancing your teaching competence. Concurrently, the recognition of teaching competence and personal development along the teaching career path is supported by teaching competence assessments.
After this onboarding section, you
- can identify opportunities for further development as a teacher.
Are you looking to develop your skills as a teacher? Participate in Aalto's pedagogical training!
Get to know how you can benefit from and get involved with Unite!
A landing page for teachers to help them find services and support related to teaching and learning.
The Teacher services team advances learning centricity and the quality of teaching by offering support services for the teaching staff. The team is a part of Learning Services.
Learning tasks for this section
- Get acquainted with the following teaching competence assessment -documents:
Teaching competence assessment_Guidelines_for_candidate_2020_Aalto University[1].pdf
Teaching_competence_guidelines_for_committee_FINAL_0.pdf (aalto.fi) - Is there something you wish to know more about? Write down your questions either for your supervisor or pedagogical specialist to be discussed in your following onboarding sessions.
- Reflect and assess your teaching competence in relation to the assessment matrix. Can you identify your strengths and areas of development?
- Based on your reflections, make yourself a development plan: pedagogical courses that you could participate in, independent study materials that you could look into etc. You can use the template provided in making your plan.
Onboarding guide for new employee
Orientation and onboarding info with links to relevant information for new Aalto employees.
