MUUTUSED VÕI TRADITSIOONID KAITSEVÄE INSTRUKTORITE ÕPETAMISPRAKTIKAS

Changes in the Teaching Practices of Instructors in the Estonian Defence Forces

Abstract

The importance of the new concept of learning has gained more prominence also in teaching practices. In light of the new training regulation (in force since January 2017) it is also important to acknowledge these new concepts and practices in the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF). The regulation prescribes the SAT model (Systems Approach to Training), which consists of four stages: analysis, design, implementation and evaluation. This article provides an overview of a study that examined the teaching practices of the instructors at EDF specialty schools and the important role played by the regulations governing military training. The theoretical part of the study describes different approaches to teaching, various learning approaches and the structure of the learning process. In addition, the training of the instructors at the EDF was also examined. Qualitative research was carried out based on semi-structured interviews with nine specialty school instructors. Data was analysed using inductive content analysis. The results showed that the instructors’ teaching practices are quite similar and are related to their previous training and approaches to teaching, with the most common practices being the teacher-centred approach, traditional learning approach and frontal teaching methods. Additionally, there were also similarities in how the instructors structured the learning process – descriptions provided by the participants covered all the stages outlined in the new EDF training regulation. The importance of the regulations governing the training process was also revealed – the instructors’ awareness of the new training regulation was generally low, but they did use it for devising new training programmes. In conclusion, the analysis of the teaching practices of the instructors indicates room for improvement. This would require the creation of a collaborative network for EDF instructors, expanding learning opportunities and ensuring more resources for training.