Work Efficiency Institute and Saumalaakso Ltd have developed together The Success Pedagogy Method that is used in the training course of concrete element joint sealing. The Success Pedagogy Method is especially suitable for training grassroots workers to combine practice and theory. Joint sealing consists of many phases, and all of them need to be done in a right way. So a broad wide of know-how of materials and working methods in different situations is required from the joint sealer. The employee must also know, e.g., when and how to fix broken concrete elements. There is no much value of a good joint if the element leaks next to it.

Students will get every day an individually tailored practical experience that helps them to learn the core issues in theory and in practice, in a way that is the most suitable for each student. These learning booster experiences are connected in a sound way to the studies of essential skills and know-how of concrete element joint sealing by means of different methods and reflection practices.

The aim of the success pedagogy is to give the students a solid basis for learning. Learning results will be good if the students` focus is all the time on the right issues and if they are motivated and using learning tools that are the most suitable for them. The Success Pedagogy Method is a combination of experiential learning, social learning, reflection and integrative pedagogy.

The Success Pedagogy Method consists of two phases. The solid basis for learning is created first by using a tailored cycle of experimental learning. Then in the second phase, students will learn by doing together with real professionals.

´Co-operation between a professional and a student can be really rewarding if a professional has patience enough to think aloud and if a student is really able to help him. It is very important that the students will get suitable tools in the first period so that they can help the  professional and learn at the same time and ask the right questions on the way all the time`, says Anton Panschin, The CEO of Saumalaakso Ltd.

The reflection practices used in The Success Pedagogy Method depend on students needs and existing learning skills. In the first phase, it may mean, e.g., that the student has to select every day the most important issue for him and learn new terms in suitable language related to that issue. Next day he has to defend his choices against critical arguments form teachers and other students. Then the new terms will be dealt with synonyms and opposites in order to deepen the theme of the day and to prepare students for the experimental part of the day.

Integrative pedagogy means that students learn by doing together with professionals. At first, the students just follow the professional doing his work and thinking aloud. Students learn by seeing the processes that solve the questions that are relevant for learning state-of-the-art joint sealing. Step by step student can help the professional more and more. It is very important that professionals and students are critical, in a reverent way anyway, and dare to ask new question together as well.

For more information:

Anton Panschin, Saumalaakso Ltd, Chief Executive Officer, tel. +358 10 209 7501, anton@saumalaakso.fi, www.saumalaakso.fi