kehitystehtävä

Kehitystehtävä, literally meaning development task, is a Finnish term used to describe an assignment or activity designed to promote the learner’s development in a specific skill, competence, or area of knowledge. In educational contexts, kehitystehtävä is tied to defined learning outcomes and may serve as a standalone exercise, a component of a course, or part of vocational training. The tasks are typically designed to require applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems, authentic situations, or personal development goals, and they often include reflection or self-assessment elements.

In professional contexts, kehitystehtävä can refer to development-focused assignments given to students, apprentices, or employees to build competencies, such as project work, simulations, case analyses, or work-based learning tasks. A typical kehitystehtävä has explicit objectives, a defined scope, a realistic timeline, and assessment criteria, with feedback provided by teachers, mentors, or supervisors.

Assessment and documentation: evaluation is often formative, emphasizing progress and competence development rather than mere task completion. Participants may maintain a portfolio or learning diary to document work, outcomes, and reflections.

Variations and structure: tasks can be completed individually or in teams, and may culminate in a presentation, report, or demonstration of a skill. Capstone projects and portfolios are common forms.

Critical considerations: the effectiveness of kehitystehtävä depends on alignment with learning outcomes, sufficient supervision, adequate time, and reliable assessment criteria. When well designed, it supports active learning, transferable skills, and ongoing professional development.

See also: learning outcomes, competency-based education, professional development, portfolio assessment.