Exploring two cases of Piano Teacher Education in Finland and Germany

Research about music instrument teacher education is scattered and fairly recent, especially in the European context. The purpose of this study was to explore two cases of piano teacher education programs at higher music education institutions, one in Finland, and one in Germany, to gain insights into the preparation of piano teachers for their professional working life. The aim was to identify issues for consideration in curriculum development of piano teacher education to enhance the teaching and learning of piano playing, and to ultimately increase musical practice and engagement among young learners. Nine semi-structured interviews with piano teacher educators, heads of program, other lecturers within the program, and student piano teachers in both cases were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Three main themes with subcategories emerged: (1) the organization of the piano teacher education program, such as the structure, the content, the learning environments provided, and the development mechanisms of the program; (2) the views on the piano teacher profession, the working environment and resulting requirements, including further education during professional life; and (3) the professional skills and teacher identity development of student teachers. While the supposed working environments and requirements of future piano teachers, the student teachers' development characteristics, and the content were found reasonably concurrent in both cases, the structure of the teacher education program, and the organization of learning environments presented notable differences. While the complete teacher qualification in the Finnish case was offered as option in the Bachelor and Master of Music program within the piano department, the German case offered a separate program for music instrument educators. Other main differences concerned the organizations of practical teaching experiences, and the linking of practical with theoretical pedagogy. Conviction and enthusiasm for improving piano and other music instrument teacher education seemed remarkable. These improvements could include the development of a comprehensive teacher education pedagogy for music instrument teacher educators, intensified cross-linking within and of higher music education institutions in local contexts, and the expansion of professional development opportunities.

Germany's socio-economic model and the Euro crisis

Germany's socio-economic model, the "social market economy", was established in West Germany after World War II and extended to the unified Germany in 1990. During a prolonged recession after the adoption of the Euro in 1998, major reforms (Agenda 2010) were introduced which many consider as the key of Germany's recent success. The reforms had mixed results: employment increased but has consisted to a large extent of precarious low-wage jobs. Growth depended on export surpluses based on an internal real devaluation (low unit labour costs) which make Germany vulnerable to global recessions as in 2009. Overall inequality increased substantially.

A map or chart of the Gulfs of Finland and Livonia with their respective ports and harbours, together with a large Plan of Kroonstad and St. Petersburg, taken from an original drawing lately sent from St. Petersburg

Sold by M. Senex at the Globe over against St. Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet London.

A Comparison of B2C E-Commerce in Finland, Germany and United Kingdom

E-Commerce is not a new phenomenon, but strictly speaking, it has breakthrough during the past 15 years. E-commerce is adopted differently across European countries, even though almost all of them are considered to be advanced industrialized nations. These notions are made at the same time as E-Commerce markets grow year by year. Countries seem to evolve at a different pace. At the same time, customers get more and more experienced with the Internet and perceive online marketplace more critically. Also, companies have their important role in the development of E-Commerce. E-Commerce research has been conducted on three levels of analysis: individual, company, and country. In this thesis, the primary focus is on the differences between B2C retail E-Commerce in Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The research is conducted with an exploratory method by collecting data from secondary sources. The research suggests that there are no significant differences between delivery methods in Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. When it comes to payment methods, the results suggests that there is a statistically significant difference between Germany and United Kingdom.

Grève des cheminots à Londres, réunion à St Pancras : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 56182

28/2/20, grève des cheminots à la gare St Lazare, un groupe d'employés mobilisés : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58241

Monumens [sic] recueillis pour l'histoire de France par Mr de Gaignières - Maisons étrangères - 1ère Partie : Maison d'Anjou-Sicile. Ayant pour auteur Charles de France 7° fils de Louis VIII et frère de St Louis par son mariage avec Beatrix de Provence en 1246

Collectionneur : Gaignières, Roger de (1642-1715)

[Intérieur de l'] église St Gervais : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58697

[Intérieur de l'] église St Gervais : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58698

[Intérieur de l'] église St Gervais [stèle à la mémoire des victimes du bombardement allemand du 29 mars 1918] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58699

[Intérieur de l'] église St Gervais [stèle à la mémoire des victimes du bombardement allemand du 29 mars 1918] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58700