SMART LEARNING AND TEACHING
At TalTech, we shape the future together!
Becoming a top specialist doesn’t happen by chance—it’s a conscious and collaborative process. Both students and lecturers work together to ensure that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about supporting personal development. On this page, you’ll find an overview of the best practices we follow in teaching and learning at Tallinn University of Technology, as well as the future-proof competencies you’ll gain here.
Good Practice for Learning and Teaching
Good Practice for Learning and Teaching is an agreement between members of Tallinn University of Technology aimed at promoting and supporting learning and teaching. Following Good Practice for Learning and Teaching is part of academic culture. Good Practice for Learning and Teaching is based on the best practices for learning and teaching. Teachers design the learning process in consideration of the functional needs of teaching the subject and based on their professional skills. Students use conscious learning methods according to the teacher's recommendations.
Evidence-based and learning-centered
Instruction is grounded in evidence and evidence-based teaching methods are used that help students achieve their learning outcomes and take into account the particulars of the course. Effective learning methods are used to achieve deep learning. The student's independent work is an essential part of learning. The teacher assists the student in developing independent learning skills. It is the duty of the teacher to foster a learning environment that encourages critical thinking in the students.
Responsibility
Learning and teaching is a continuous process involving dialogue and regular feedback and feedforward between the student and the teacher. Modern learning theories must be used by both the teacher and the student to have a shared understanding of learning. The student assumes responsibility for learning and the teacher is accountable for providing the environment that promotes effective learning. Sharing responsibility requires self-management and -reflection on both sides.
Collaboration
Learning is based on collaboration and mutual respect. Collaboration is used to establish learning objectives and reach agreements related to the learning process in each class, throughout the course and during the supervision process. In order to improve their social and communication skills, students work together both on their own initiative and under the supervision of their teachers. The aim of students' collaboration is to achieve a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of what is being learned. The teacher is aware of how his/her course fits into the overall study programme. The teacher works together with the programme director and other teachers to strengthen the coherence between the courses of the study programme and to achieve the learning outcomes of the study programme.
Ethics, creativity, and entrepreneurship
Everyone engaged in the educational process is aware that education encompasses more than simply knowledge and abilities; it also includes values, attitudes and ethical principles. Students' initiative, originality of thought, purposefulness in action, and ability to solve complex real-world problems are encouraged and appreciated in learning activities. Initiative and teamwork are valued attributes in teaching and learning.
Future-proof competencies
TalTech graduates acquire future-proof competencies – a combination of field-specific and transversal competencies.
To ensure consistency among TalTech graduates and to support the acquisition of future-proof competencies, we have agreed on the transversal and discipline-specific competencies that must be included in every curriculum.
Field-specific competencies are the specialized skills and knowledge required to succeed in a particular field.
Transversal competencies are the essential knowledge, skills, values, behavioral models, and attitudes needed for lifelong learning and success in various contexts. These include self-management and learning, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and ethics. The development (i.e., learning, teaching, and assessment) of these competencies is integrated throughout compulsory courses.
Discipline-specific competencies are TalTech-specific knowledge and skills in areas such as digital competence, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, mathematics, and engineering.
