Tommi Kinnunen, Senior Lecturer
Expert in Perioperative Nursing and Simulation Pedagogy
Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Unit of Health Care

Education:
• Bachelor Degree in Nursing, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
• Master’s Degree Programme in Social and Health Care Development and Management, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
• School of Professional Teacher Education, JAMK University of Applied Sciences

Work experience:
• About 9 years’ working experience in operating room as a surgical nurse in Kuopio University Hospital.
• 5 years´ Educator Nurse in Savonia University of Applied Sciences
• Since 2016 Senior Lecturer in Savonia UAS

My expertise for the project:
My main contribution to the FutureEdu –project is in the field of perioperative nursing. I teach perioperative nursing in professional studies and optional professional studies. I also work as an internship instructor in different perioperative nursing environments so I have good links to the working life. This expertise is very valuable when developing new learning methods.

I also teach clinical examination of patient. In Savonia UAS we have a great Simulation Center where students can practice real situations and actions that they will encounter in real life. In the Simulation Center, students can also train different kind of hand skills. I am also one of the simulation pedagogy educator in Savonia UAS, and I use this method frequently in my courses.

In healthcare education, extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR) are rarely used, especially in nursing education. Learning environments using these new technologies complement traditional methods. They offers authentic and patient safety environments, where participants receive feedbacks about their performance, indicating what went good and what can be improved. Studies also shows that by observing another exercising one can also learn, so it is a versatile method of learning.

Traditional nursing education is changing, that´s for sure. Lessons are going to be diversified from the traditional classroom lessons to web-based clinical instructions and virtual based skill stations. This will change our teaching strategy and affects the curriculum of nursing education bringing also new opportunities for the in-service training.

Paola Kontro, Expert in International Cooperation, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

My training briefly:
I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences in International Relations from the University of Tampere, with minor studies on development studies, sociology, women studies and environmental studies. I have also studies on health, wellbeing, social work and technology. I have over ten years’ experience in coordinating international activities and extensive understanding of international cooperation in education in Europe, Africa and Latin America, in particular in the area of public health. I have also knowledge of project management and funding.

In a globalize world with rapid technological developments, cooperation with international actors highly contributes to the development of societies. FutureEdu project promotes international cooperation through the activities with its Bulgarian partners in the field of Extended Reality (XR). Finland, considered as one of the most innovative countries in the world, also stands out for its research activities and growing markets on specific XR applications. Bulgaria, while having many potential initiatives and opportunities in the XR industry, is slowly coming up with companies developing a wide range of XR products. Both countries, with their cultural diversity, skilled workforce and technological expertise are working together to further develop their potentials in this promising XR sphere.

Considering both countries’ background, the FutureEdu project encourages the exchange of knowledge and ideas to develop products according to the needs and purposes of the final user in the educational institutions. We work with a variety of institutions to develop XR products that benefits all actors involve in the process. Products include joint XR training, XR products and XR manuals.  Both countries long-term common objective is to create innovation that increase education and empower the working force. Technology and XR is seem here as a common sphere to cooperate and build mutual trust, an area that transcends national boundaries.

As a social scientist expert, my tasks in the FutureEdu projects focuses on highlighting the importance of cultural encounters to develop and strengthen the countries potential and capacities in the field of XR.  This implies a multilevel perspective.  A global oriented perspective benefits in understanding how global scenarios are affecting national strategies and international development projects. At a national level, it is fundamental to understand the nature and role of the institutions and the regional resources and challenges that determines the outcomes of the cooperation.

Coordination and management skills are of importance in this type of projects. My task requires cultural understanding, communication and language skills. The understanding of technology as a tool to foster human development is crucial. At the end, however, cooperation is between people and they should be at the center of our aim to foster international cooperation.

“It´s not a faith in technology, it’s a faith in people”
Steve Jobs

Sources: Bloomberg Innovation Index, 2019, Virtual Reality and its potential for Europe