Teachers in the World of e-learning

As a part of internal Teacher-InService Training and EU's Leonardo Pilot Programme EAC teachers and administrators in the City of Vaasa familiarised themselves with the business principles and the factors affecting profitability of a company. They also took a closer look at the network learning tool used by the global ABB/PTO, in which one learns to create a common view on skill and information based business principles by making and implementing decisions on one's own business.

A business simulation based on four playing teams-companies (3-4 players). Each team had a tutor from ABB. After the presentation of the game each team planned company's business principles, personnel policy, vision of the future, procedures and strategies. After each business year company's strategy was evaluated and new procedures and actions were planned. An essential part of the business simulation was interaction in each team. Company's competence was emphasised and factors like know-how capital, education/training, personality and intelligence of the personnel are important. Company's image capital, external networks and reputation are promoted.

The business simulation followed by the common discussion after which the performance of each company/team was evaluated and the tutors assessed the procedures of the teams.

Teachers found the experience useful and interesting and listed following advantages of that simulation:

• Possibility to have a look at the teaching methods of the working life
• More experience of teamwork
• Information about business principles
• Factors affecting profitability
• Closer look at the network learning tool
• Got familiar with the challenges and demands of the working life
• Co-operation with students schools teachers and the company.