Learning Challenge Aalto

Post-industrial work is learning

Learning Challenge Aalto is one of Aalto University’s four joint strategic development initiatives in the area of teaching and learning. The goal is to help teaching faculty at Aalto University to create and develop scalable teaching concepts, which have a strong worklife relevance. The initiative also aims to improve students’ work life capabilities and employability in general. Aalto students need to stay competitive in the local and global labour market. We can build the competitiveness with a change of mindset, focused on engaging students in work life during their studies and encouraging them to solving real life challenges.

Key objectives for the initiative:

• Identifying and conceptualising "Game Changer" competencies
• Building a model for accumulating competencies throughout studies
• Alignment of worklife relevant practices between schools in Aalto University
• Identifying and supporting existing ways of integrating real life challenges into teaching
• Providing support and resources for developing education with real life challenges
• Improving industry-academia relationship in education through innovations and tested concepts

Design principles for challenge-based learning:

1. A scalable model for learning from real life challenges

2. A process that places all learners in charge and responsible of learning

3. An environment for meeting academic standards

4. An authentic way to make deeper connections with the world around us

5. A focus on local and global ideas working with meaningful challenges to develop solutions

6. Purposeful use of technology and tools to facilitate learning and collaboration

7. A framework for developing work-life skills and enhancing employability

8. A multidisciplinary and equal system for all learners

9. Meta-learning from deep reflection on experience

10. A future-proof model for higher education

Aalto University's joint strategic initiatives in the field of education for 2016-2020 are Aalto Online Learning, Learning Challenge Aalto, Programme Attractiveness and Success of Students.

We educate game changers by

• pioneering online and blended learning experiences with improved learning results
• strengthening work life capabilities and integrating real life challenges into teaching and learning by deeper industry-academia relationships
• improving content and quality of our degree programmes, and processes and tools related to student recruitment, marketing and admissions
• enhancing student wellbeing by advancing study support, teaching and learning services