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

Kimmo Pakarinen, RDI Advisor, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Education:
Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

As newest member of the FutureEdu team, I might not have as much work experience on field of health care. Since we got our first computer in early 90´s, I have always been interested in computers and new technologies. In first years, I was mostly interested in playing computer games, but soon I was building my own computers and got interested in game development. Later, I also got interested in 3D modelling and software development. And finally, I decided to get degree on Information Technology.

During my studies I did my internship for FutureEdu -project, which included making proof of concepts and demos on how can FutureEdu -project utilize XR technologies in health care education and training. I also did Virtual Reality environment where users can learn and train usage of an microscope as my thesis for FutureEdu -project.

My expertise for the project
Taking note of my background, in Future Technologies in Education -project, my main responsibilities are XR technologies, software development and other digitalization technologies. As I have recently graduated (Feb 2020) I have good understanding of current studying methods and what could be interesting ways to learn as a student.

The World is always changing, and technology is constantly advancing, why shouldn´t teaching methods also evolve?

Susanna Vuohelainen
Lecturer in Biomedical laboratory science, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Education:
• Bachelor degree in Biomedical laboratory Science, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
• Master degree in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, University of Eastern Finland
• Currently studying at the School of Professional Teacher Education, JAMK University of Applied Sciences

Work experience
• More than 10 years’ working experience in a clinical pathology lab of Central hospital of Central Finland, multiple responsibilities
• Few years’ experience in the research of biotechnology in the A.I. Virtanen institute, studying metabolism of the polyamines and diabetes
• Two years as a product specialist in a chemistry company with development, manufacturing and sales in the segments of infectious disease diagnostics and liquid based solutions and reagents of life sciences (IVD products)
• A full time lecturer in Biomedical Laboratory Science in Savonia University of Applied Science, from august 2019 I have working experience from university, public health care and private company. In addition to this background, I have a wide social network of professionals in the branch of clinical laboratory science and biotechnology.

International experience
• Exchange student in Mozambique (one semester)
• Working in international research groups at the University and at the private company

My expertise for the project
Because of my background, my main expertise to this project is in the field of laboratory science, especially in histology and molecular medicine. During the years in the A.I. Virtanen institute, I learned to plan projects and apply methods in the field of molecular medicine and gene technology. In my current work as a lecturer, I observe the need for new technologies in teaching. We need to find new ways of teaching and to motivate students and new employees. Modern digital methods and environments are been developed to support the traditional hand-to-hand teaching. I have up-to-date experience and knowledge of practical work in such environments where the project aims to develop those new ways of teaching.

Sirkka-Liisa Halimaa, project expert
Savonia University of Applied Sciences

·        Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science
·        Master of Health Care, Degree program Teacher of Health Care
·        Licentiate of Health Sciences
·        PhD, Doctor of Health Sciences
·        Master of Degree Program in Management and Development
·        Education in project management

Since 1988, I have been working as a lecturer at Savonia in the degree program in Medical Laboratory Science. The fields of teaching include clinical chemistry and hematology, clinical physiology, neurophysiology and nuclear medicine. I started as a principal lecturer in 1998 and have been in charge of the degree program and partly also responsible for the leading of the diagnostics team.

The subject of my dissertation was the pain of a premature baby. I have published several international and national articles and participated in numerous conferences. I have a long experience in curriculum and education development in the national and international level. In this project, my expertise is particularly the educational development of virtual learning environments.

I have done the curriculum work and  development of education at national level as well as at the National Board of Education and Ministry of Education and Culture. In particular, planning, implementation and development of the satellite training and education model was an important development challenge during 2014 – 2017. This development work continues in the FutureEdu project and takes education to a next level.

Cooperation between education and working life is increasingly important at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Effective working life cooperation is also key to the success of this project. In my work, I have developed these contacts for many years. I have been committed to the project since the application stage. I am familiar with the objectives and content of the project. I feel that I have supported project in many different dimensions, and not just in theory, but also by discussing, planning, making and guiding the project forward in collaboration with the project team and project manager.