Reflection on the development of pedagogical thinking (PAKER)

The university pedagogy team at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) has developed the Reflection on the Development of Pedagogical Thinking (PAKER) method to support the reflection of pedagogical thinking during teacher training. The method is grounded in previous research and aims to strengthen teachers’ ability to examine and develop their pedagogical thinking through a guided reflection process. This project investigates the effectiveness of the PAKER method in teacher training and its impact on the pedagogical thinking and reflection skills of teachers at different career stages in two Finnish universities. The research will provide evidence-based insights and a deeper understanding of how pedagogical thinking evolves through structured reflection. The project aims to enhance the reflective competence and professional growth of both early-career and experienced university teachers, as well as those undertaking pedagogical studies. It also offers supervisors a research-based tool to support reflection and contributes to the development of more sustainable, research-informed pedagogical education. The study will deepen understanding of the role of reflection skills in pedagogical studies and establish a strong empirical and theoretical foundation for the developed method.