Integrative teaching and learning: reflections of a complex world in the curricula of primary teacher education programs
<b>Background:</b> Acting in a changing world demands a holistic understanding of complex phenomena. Teacher education must therefore equip candidates with both knowledge and skills in integrative teaching and learning.<br><b>Purpose:</b> This study investigates how integrative teaching and learning are reflected in the curricula of Finnish primary teacher education programs during the academic year 2024–2025.<br><b>Methods: </b>The curricula of ten Finnish primary teacher education programs were analyzed using both data-driven and theory-guided content analysis.<br><b>Results: </b>Five categories of courses reflect integrative teaching and learning: explicitly designed courses, subject-specific courses, integrative courses, studies in educational theory, and supervised teaching practice. These revealed four main approaches to integration: general integration, curriculum-driven integration, subject-based integration, and transdisciplinary integration.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>The findings provide tools for reflection and curriculum development in primary teacher education.<br>
Authors
- Nina Mård (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6618-5878)
- Arja Kaasinen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6683-3051)
- Tiina Kujala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7324-5944)
- Johanna M. Tigert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2642-7064)
- Sari Harmoinen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6121-4879)
- Anuleena Kimanen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0049-826X)
- Sirpa Kärkkäinen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0515-0775)
- Minna Maunula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7968-705X)
- Iida-Maria Peltomaa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0784-9195)
- Juulia Lahdenperä (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2430-8811)
- Teppo Toikka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5140-1398)
- Ilkka Ratinen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7977-062X)
- Mirja Tarnanen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4585-4822)
- Ulla Hietamäki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6296-1743)
Institutions
- Åbo Akademi University (FI)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- University of Turku (FI)
- Tampere University (FI)
- University of Eastern Finland (FI)
- Finland University (FI)
- Tampere University (FI)
- University of Jyväskylä (FI)
- University of Lapland (FI)
- University of Oulu (FI)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Curriculum Studies
- Published
- 2025-09-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2025.2560844
- Primary Topic
- Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00