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The present study aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between metacognitive awareness and approaches to learning in a multidisciplinary context of higher education using a person-oriented approach. The participants in the present study were 462 third year students of humanities, social sciences and theology. The students filled in a HowULearn questionnaire which included 18 items related to metacognitive awareness and 12 to approaches to learning. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to explore the factor structure of the instruments. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, K-means cluster analysis and One-way ANOVA. The results showed that two dimensions of metacognitive awareness, namely knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition, emerged from the data. Knowledge about cognition was evaluated higher than regulation of cognition. The results showed that both dimensions of metacognitive awareness were statistically significantly related to a deep approach to learning and organized studying and negatively to an unreflective approach. Furthermore, three learning profiles were identified and they differed in both of these dimensions of metacognitive awareness. More precisely, students representing organized students applying a deep approach had higher scores on knowledge about cognition as well as on regulation of cognition compared with the students representing unorganized studentsapplying a deep approach or those with a dissonant profile. In addition, students representing the dissonant profile had statistically significantly lower scores on knowledge about cognition than those students representing unorganized students applying a deep approach. The present study implies that students with different study profiles need different types of support for the metacognitive awareness of their own learning processes.

This article introduces the development of the self-reflection tool HowUTeach for higher education teachers. HowUTeach is a research-based self-assessment tool created primarily for teachers in both science universities and universities of applied sciences. The purpose of HowUTeach is to increase teachers’ awareness of their teaching and thereby enhance individual self-reflection relating to work and well-being. HowUTeach uses responses to a questionnaire as a base to generate feedback that includes descriptions of different teaching dimensions as well as ideas on how to develop and improve teaching practices. This article defines these dimensions and presents the idea of counter feedback. The results from the pilot tests of HowUTeach were promising, and teachers identified that the instrument advanced their teaching practices. The tool is now being developed further., Artikkeli esittelee korkeakouluopettajien työn tueksi kehitetyn HowUTeach -itsearviointityökalun. HowUTeach on korkeakoulupedagogiseen tutkimukseen perustuva, korkeakouluopettajien itsearviointityökalu, jonka avulla HowUTeach -kyselyyn vastaavalle korkeakouluopettajalle voidaan tuottaa tutkimukseen perustuva vastapalaute oman opetuksen ja pedagogisen asiantuntijuuden kehittämisen tueksi. HowUTeachin käytön ensisijaisena tavoitteena on lisätä korkeakouluopettajien tietoisuutta omasta opetuksesta, ja lisätä näin opettajien kykyä reflektoida ja kehittää omaa opetustaan sekä edistää heidän hyvinvointiaan. HowUTeach on suunniteltu ja kehitetty erityisesti tiede- ja ammattikorkeakouluopettajien työn tueksi. Artikkelissa kuvataan kyselyn eri ulottuvuudet ja vastapalautemekanismi, joka perustuu opettajien kyselyvastauksiin. HowUTeachin alustava käyttö on antanut rohkaisevia tuloksia ja opettajat kokevat, että kyselyn käyttö auttaa heitä kehittämään heidän opetustaan. Kyselyä kehitetään edelleen.

This paper examines disciplinary differences in the combinations of approaches to learning (i.e., learning profiles) among students, and how those combinations are related to academic achievement. In addition, the study focuses on how different learning profiles are related to students' self-efficacy beliefs in different disciplines. Data consist of HowULearn survey responses from 4,294 full-time students from six different disciplines. We used a person-oriented approach; that is, the latent profile analysis (LPA) with various functions. The results showed that it is possible to detect different learning profiles of students in different disciplines. The study highlights that students who struggle in almost every discipline have a dissonant learning profile or the deep unorganised profile. Therefore, special attention should be paid to identifying the students with dissonant learning profiles and to support them in recognising their own learning processes. Moreover, students' time and effort management skills should be fostered during university studies.

Writing an academic thesis is an important and complex task and the thesis grade should reflect students’ academic competences. The present study aims, firstly, at exploring how Bachelor’s and Master’s students self-evaluate their academic competences and approaches to learning and whether their evaluations differ from each other. In addition, the study aims at investigating how academic competences and approaches to learning are related to the thesis grades of Bachelor’s and Master’s students. The data consisted of 1 019 Bachelor's and Master’s students, all of whom completed an electronic questionnaire at the time of their graduation. The results imply that Bachelor’s students already possess a considerable number of academic competences. It seems that students’ organising skills should be supported, especially in the Bachelor phase. Finally, the present study raises the question of what the thesis grade actually measures if its relations to both learning processes and academic competences are questionable.

Student feedback has played an important role in changes and improvements in educational institutions. However, some researchers have argued that student experience should not be used as a measure of educational quality. This chapter critically evaluates the use of the student experience as a basis for teaching criteria and standards. The chapter introduces empirical evidence showing that student experience is rather subjective reflecting more on students’ learning processes than the quality of teaching. The chapter introduces a comprehensive way of using student experience for quality enhancement purposes. The authors argue that by combining measures of both, student experiences of their teaching-learning environment and of their own learning processes, the resulting information can be used to change and innovate curriculum and pedagogy in different institutions. The chapter offers examples from varying contexts on how curriculum changes can be undertaken on the basis of more comprehensive measures of student experience.

The study explored the extent to which university students' approaches to learning (SAL) are related to their perceptions of the teaching-learning environment (TLE), both at the group level (between-student variation) and at the individual level (within-student variation). Moreover, the study explored how a general tendency to perceive the TLE in a certain way predicts course-specific approaches to learning over and above the course specific perceptions. The participants were 147 natural sciences undergraduate students. SAL and perceptions of the TLE were measured after five courses using the Learn questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used as the analysis method, which enabled us to test whether the relationships of the TLE and SAL variables were similar at the group and individual levels. For the most part, the relationships were similar but stronger at the group level; further, some of the within-student variation in SAL could be predicted by the group-level perceptions of the TLE.

Unlike the studies of freshmen entrants, the learning experiences of community college transfer (CCT) students in the receiving university is a topic that has only started to gain attention in recent decades. Little is known about the differences between CCT and freshmen entrants with regard to their study workload stress and its relationship with their perceptions of the teaching and learning environment, approaches to learning, self-efficacy and generic skills. The purpose of our study was to address this gap. This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted from April 2018 to November 2018 in a university in Hong Kong. The HowULearn questionnaire was adapted to local usage and validated for data collection. In total, 841 CCT students and 978 freshmen entrants completed the survey. The respondents were aged between 19 and 52 years (mean = 21.6, SD = 1.92), and 66.0% were women. The HowULearn questionnaire was determined by factor analyses to have eight factors. The reliabilities of the eight factors were found to be acceptable (Cronbach alphas = 0.709–0.918). The CCT students scored significantly higher than the freshmen entrants for perceived study workload stress and surface approaches to learning, but lower on teaching for understanding & encouraging learning, peer support, and self-efficacy beliefs. The surface approach to learning, deep & organized studying, alignment & constructive feedback, and generic skills were found to be predictors of study workload stress in both groups of students, and in the overall student data. This study has shown that CCT students and freshmen entrants differed with regard to their study workload stress and learning experiences. Our findings provide a message, both for educators in higher education and policy makers in the government—there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to different student populations when it comes to enhancing their learning experiences.

A successful transition from university to working life requires that graduates are able to employ their education and academic competences in real working-life contexts. Our previous research showed that graduates varied in how they were able to reflect on their competences at the time of graduation. The present longitudinal mixed-method study follows the same graduates and explores their evaluations of the usefulness of university education and career success, three years after graduation. The follow-up data consisted of 57 graduates' survey answers analysed by quantitative and qualitative methods. The results showed that graduates who were able to describe and evaluate more competences at the time of graduation perceived their current jobs to correspond more to their education. Graduates with more limited evaluations of their competences, on the other hand, had experienced more challenges related to employment and were more uncertain of their goals. The results also showed that having diverse competences and an ability to recognise them at the time of graduation is important for later career success and may also be related to what kind of challenges graduates face in working life.

The relationship between study success and the nature of 550 first-year law students’ study processes was investigated using a modified version of the Approaches to Learning and Studying Inventory. The students were classified into four study profiles according to their approaches to learning, indicating the nature of their study processes. In addition, the students were divided into six study success groups on the basis of their earned study credits and grade point average. The results showed that both approaches to learning and study success in the first study year predicted graduation time and the completion of the degree. Thus, it is important that faculties actively use measures, such as the inventory used in the present study, to promote first-year students’ awareness of their study practices and support the progress of their studies. Individual students need tailored guidance in transitioning to university studies and identifying the demands of the study programme.

Many factors influence students’ progress in higher education. However, the students’ own voices are seldom heard. Using a qualitative approach, the study explored students’ own experiences of the factors that have influenced their studying. Research has indicated that students’ experiences are often related to their approaches to learning. Therefore, experiences of enhancing and impeding factors were explored here in relation to different study profiles. Altogether 736 open-ended answers were analysed by qualitative context analysis. After establishing the categories of enhancing and impeding factors and creating the student profiles, the differences between the profiles were examined using chi-square tests. The results revealed that the students had experienced a broad variety of factors that influenced their studying. These experiences varied widely with regard to the students’ study profiles. In particular, those in the Students applying a surface approach and Unorganised students applying a deep approach profiles appeared to experience more obstacles in their studies than the students in other profiles. Characteristic of these two profiles was the students’ low ability to organise their studies, that is, manage their time and effort. The study suggests that at least part of the variation in students’ experiences of the factors influencing their progress is explainable by the students’ learning profiles. Whether it would be useful to identify different student profiles rather than concentrate on asking the students directly about their experiences of enhancing and impeding factors is discussed. Many factors influence students’ progress in higher education. However, the students’ own voices are seldom heard. Using a qualitative approach, the study explored students’ own experiences of the factors that have influenced their studying. Research has indicated that students’ experiences are often related to their approaches to learning. Therefore, experiences of enhancing and impeding factors were explored here in relation to different study profiles. Altogether 736 open-ended answers were analysed by qualitative context analysis. After establishing the categories of enhancing and impeding factors and creating the student profiles, the differences between the profiles were examined using chi-square tests. The results revealed that the students had experienced a broad variety of factors that influenced their studying. These experiences varied widely with regard to the students’ study profiles. In particular, those in the Students applying a surface approach and Unorganised students applying a deep approach profiles appeared to experience more obstacles in their studies than the students in other profiles. Characteristic of these two profiles was the students’ low ability to organise their studies, that is, manage their time and effort. The study suggests that at least part of the variation in students’ experiences of the factors influencing their progress is explainable by the students’ learning profiles. Whether it would be useful to identify different student profiles rather than concentrate on asking the students directly about their experiences of enhancing and impeding factors is discussed.

This study aims, firstly, to examine the nature of the surface approach to learning in today’s university context, and secondly, to explore the factors that explain variations in the use of this approach. The 61 participants were studying in six Bachelor programmes representing various disciplines. These students scored above average on a surface approach scale and volunteered to be interviewed. One compulsory course was selected from each programme. Five surface approach profiles emerged showing variation from a full surface approach to a deep approach with memorisation. Despite very similar high scores on the surface approach scale, students varied in their use of surface-level processes. Thus, the inventory data did not capture the full variation in the students’ use of the surface approach to learning. Rich research methods are therefore needed to better understand the nature of students’ personal aims as well as their study processes and practices.

University students often work during their studies, and working is considered to be one reason for high dropout rates or slow progress in studies. Moreover, the nature of students’ work experience varies greatly. The study aimed to explore how working while studying is related to study success, and took approaches to learning and the nature of the work experience into account. A total of 1023 students completed a questionnaire at the time of their graduation. The results showed that doing other academic work was related to a deep approach to learning, and non-academic work was related to a surface approach and unorganised studying. Moreover, the results revealed that organised studying has an important role in terms of study pace. The study suggests that by emphasising students’ organising skills and supporting their deep-level learning, students have better possibilities to create links between work experience and studies.

The study explored factors explaining changes in a deep approach to learning. The data consisted of interviews with 12 students from four Bachelor-level courses representing different disciplines. We analysed and compared descriptions of students whose deep approach either increased, decreased or remained relatively unchanged during their courses. We also explored the effect of the teaching–learning environment on these changes. Individual factors (such as investing time and effort in studying regularly during the courses, the goals set for the courses, study skills and skills in regulating one’s own learning) most clearly explained the changes in one’s deep approach, while students’ experiences of the teaching–learning environment and how they perceived the quality of teaching provided no clear explanation of the changes. An exception was the way in which students experienced the challenges presented by the courses, which was more clearly related to the deep-approach changes.

The purpose of this study was to examine university students' learning profiles and their relationship to study-related burnout as well as study progression and study achievement. The participants in the study were 339 first-year university students. Four clusters were found: Students applying a deep approach; Organised students; Students applying a surface approach; and Unorganised students applying a deep approach. The results show that students who apply a surface approach to learning in their studies are more likely suffer from study-related burnout, as students applying a deep approach experience less study-related burnout. In addition, unorganised students applying a deep approach also proceeded slower in their studies. The study suggests that students' study skills and their learning processes should be considered when considering study-related burnout in higher education.

The aim of the study is to explore how students' experiences of enhancing and impeding factors and approaches to learning are related to students' study progress. A total of 93 students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities participated in the study by answering a Learn-questionnaire regarding their experiences of the enhancing and impeding factors and their approaches to learning. Regression analysis showed that working impeded study progression whereas interesting teaching enhanced it. However, the results revealed that the factors that enhance or impede studying appear to be closely mediated by students' approaches to learning. For example, working was not problematic for students with good organising skills. The findings suggest that it may not be possible to identify the factors that would enhance or impede studying without taking individual differences into consideration. In addition, the results imply that the focus in teaching should be in developing students' self-regulation skills.

Drawing on research on both engagement in learning and approaches to learning, we examine the associations between international students’ approaches to learning, factors in the teaching/learning environment and self-assessed academic outcomes. A total of 307 students responded to our survey. Their experience of the purposefulness of their course assignments and the relevance of their studies was related to students having a deep approach to learning and being organised in their studies. Moreover, students applying a deep approach to learning and being organised in studying seemed to perceive their study success more positively. Furthermore, the better students’ perception of how well their courses were organised and aligned with other studies, the lower their stress level was. The Asian students in our study exhibited a slightly more surface approach to learning, and were more organised in their studies than the European students, but the differences were very small.

Assessment has an important role in affecting students’ learning, but qualitative studies regarding this relationship are rather scarce. In addition, course grades do not necessarily reflect the quality of learning outcomes. The aim is to qualitatively examine why high and low achieving students in the same course study differently according to the assessment method and how they explain their behaviour. Altogether 24 students were interviewed in this study. Analyses were conducted with inductive content analysis. The results indicate that course grades do not necessarily reflect qualitative learning outcomes due to the nature of the assessment. In addition, the present study suggests that self-regulation and motivation are important factors in studying and might prevent the negative effect of inappropriate assessment.

This paper explores the value of a research-based student inventory from the quality assurance point of view in two culturally different European higher education institutions for veterinary education. Perceived heavy workload is a well-known problem in veterinary studies and is a challenge to the quality of learning. First- and third-year students in both institutions responded to an inventory consisting of items regarding their approaches to learning, self-efficacy, study workload and the teaching-learning environment. There were differences in students’ approaches to learning and perceived workload between the two institutions. In both contexts, the strongest predictor of the workload turned out to be the surface approach to learning. Self-efficacy showed a positive correlation with the deep approach to learning and organised studying. The strengths of the teaching-learning environment varied between the institutions. Moreover, the present study discusses how the gained information could be used in improving the teaching-learning environment and students’ learning.

While focus on quality in Danish higher education has been growing in recent years, limited attention has been devoted to developing and thoroughly validating instruments that allow collecting data about university students’ perceptions of the teaching-learning environment. Based on data from a large sample of Danish university students, a Danish version of the Learn questionnaire was validated using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Analyses confirmed the existence of three scales reflecting students’ approaches to learning and six scales reflecting students’ perception of the teaching-learning environment. The results suggest that the Danish version of Learn is a valid instrument to be used for evaluation of the teaching-learning environment as well as for research into Danish university students’ learning strategies.

Recent qualitative studies about students’ conceptions of learning have been scarce. The present study explores university students’ conceptions of learning in biosciences. The analysis was conducted by applying a phenomenographic approach. Five different categories of descriptions of conceptions of learning were found: (1) Reproducing knowledge, (2) Using knowledge in practice, (3) Integrating new knowledge with prior knowledge, (4) Evaluating different views and (5) Creating one's own worldview. The present study showed that conceptions of learning were relatively sophisticated and strongly emphasised integrating knowledge of different phenomena. Furthermore, the present study suggests that a shift in students’ conceptions of learning has taken place in the 21st century where students do not emphasise increase of knowledge in their learning.

The University of Helsinki, along with the other European universities, is facing challenges for enhancing the quality of teaching and developing quality assurance systems with comparable criteria. To tackle these aims the university started to develop a student feedback system with a solid theoretical feedback and valuable practical implications. The present study describes the process of developing a research instrument and a questionnaire as a part of a research project The Students’ Approaches to Learning and their Experiences of the Teaching-Learning Environment(s) (LEARN) at the university. The work carried out at the University of Helsinki clearly demonstrates the value of using the LEARN questionnaire: at the same time it is a valid research instrument and a practical tool for enhancing the quality of students’ learning. Different faculties at the University of Helsinki have used the instrument for research purposes, in their quality work and in student counselling. Furthermore, the software that ...

This paper explores students’ conceptions of good teaching in three different disciplines. Moreover, the aim is to explore the relation between these conceptions and students’ approaches to learning by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 695 students from the Faculties of Behavioural Sciences, Law and Veterinary Medicine participated in the study. The students’ conceptions of good teaching were analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Furthermore, the students were assigned to homogenous subgroups on the basis of their responses to items measuring approaches to learning and the differences between these subgroups and the students’ conceptions were examined. The association between the conceptions, disciplines and approaches to learning were examined using Chi‐square tests. Twenty‐one dimensions were created from the data and 12 of them differed between the disciplines. Only one dimension differed between the student groups. The study suggests that there is disciplinary variati...

The examination of academic progression has become an essential tool for measuring the effectiveness of educational systems. Research concerning the relationship between student learning and how they progress in their studies, however remains scarce. The aim of this study is two-fold: Firstly, the study aims to analyse first-year bioscience students’ perceptions of their teaching–learning environment and their approaches to learning as well as the relationship of these to academic achievement as measured by students’ progression in studies and how they succeed. Secondly, the present study explores factors students feel either enhance or impede their studying as well as the relationship of those factors with their approaches to learning and academic achievement. The data consist of responses from 188 first-year students who began their studies in the fall 2007 and 2008. The data were collected in a Finnish context with a modified and shortened version of the Experiences in Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (ETLQ). The analyses were carried out using factor analysis, one-way ANOVA and structural equation modeling. According to the results, organised studying was related to both academic progression and study success. In addition, academic progression was positively related to peer support. Furthermore, most of the students found that problems in time management impeded their studies and that pre-set schedules enhanced them. Results indicate that social support and self-regulation skills are important for academic achievement.

Background There is evidence of disciplinary variation in students' approaches to learning. Furthermore, previous research has shown that students' approaches are related to their perceptions of the learning environment. Aim The overall objective of the study was to analyse combinations of approaches to learning among undergraduates in different disciplines. More precisely, the aim was to cluster students on the basis of their scores on different items measuring approaches to learning, and to explore the relationship between the clusters and both the disciplines of the students and their perceptions of the teaching–learning environment. Sample A total of 2,509 students participated in the study. Methods The students were asked to complete an on-line questionnaire, which was a revised version of the Experience of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire. It included items covering approaches to learning and perceptions of the teaching–learning environment. Results The students were classified in four clusters. There were significant differences in how the respondents from the 10 faculties were represented in these clusters. There were also differences in their perceptions of the teaching–learning environment in the different faculties. Conclusions It appears that there is disciplinary variation in approaches to learning. Furthermore, the results indicate that both approaches to learning and the discipline have an effect on students' experiences of the teaching–learning environment.

This article explores teachers in the units of high quality education in Finland. It focuses on three questions. First, What are conceptions of good teaching of teachers teaching in the quality units? Second, What do they consider important in their teaching? And third, What is the relation between teachers’ conceptions and the criteria used in the quality unit selection? Findings reveal that teachers’ conceptions of good teaching are in line with the theories of good teaching and with the main selection criteria of the quality units in Finland. Still, the role of appropriate assessment is not emphasised by the teachers.

The main aim of education worldwide is to attain high-quality learning outcomes of learners of diff erent ages and at diff erent institutional levels, from secondary and vocational schools to higher education. All over the world teachers work hard to facilitate the learning processes of their students. The task is challenging because, even in small groups, students’ skills and learning processes vary greatly. While some students learn without diffi culty, others require individual support to develop their learning skills to be able to actively construct knowledge by themselves. Thus, the core of teaching and learning is to deepen and broaden understanding of the topics under study.

The aim of the present study is to explore changes both in approaches to learning as well as in students’ experiences of the teaching-learning environment and how these changes are related to each other during their Bachelor studies by using a longitudinal data set. The aim is further to explore how students’ approaches to learning and their perceptions of the teaching-learning environment relate to study success. Participants comprised of 103 students at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences who participated in the present study from the first to third year of their Bachelor degree studies. We used a modified version of the ETLQ questionnaire and conducted Confirmatory factor analyses on scales representing approaches to learning and the teaching-learning environment at both measurements. We investigated changes at the group level using a paired sample t-test and conducted the final analysis with regression analyses. We then used Structural Equation Modelling to analyse the relationship between approaches to learning, perceptions of the teaching-learning environment, and study success. The results showed an increase in the deep approach to learning and a decrease in students’ perceptions of teaching for understanding. Organised studying and interest in studies were related to study success. The results reveal the existence of complex relations between changes in approaches to learning and perceptions of the teaching-learning environment.

Time and effort management skills have proved to be very important in studying, as they provide a foundation for both study success and engagement in university studies across the world. The paper focuses on how these skills develop during university studies in veterinary medicine, and examines possible changes in relation to students' experiences of the teaching-learning environment and study success. The results suggest that students' experience of interest and relevance of the subject matter explained the changes in their time and effort management skills. Moreover, students who scored high in these skills during their Bachelor's studies succeeded well in their later studies. The findings highlight the need to support the development of students' time and effort management skills from the very beginning of university studies. Moreover, the teachers should pay greater attention to the relevance of the subject matter, as it may also support the development of these skills.

The study examined the use of the modified Experiences of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (ETLQ) in the Finnish context by focusing on its factor structures and comparing them with those for British data. A total of 2,509 Finnish and 2,710 British students completed the questionnaire. The comparison of the factor structures were conducted using exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and a transformation analysis. Although the differences between the factor structures prevented a combined analysis, the structures were highly similar in the two contexts. The ETLQ appears to be a sufficiently robust and reliable instrument for use across countries and, in addition, at either the level of the degree subject or the single course module.

The relationships among veterinary students' approaches to learning, perceptions of the teaching–learning environment, and study success were evaluated in a demanding, discipline-based curriculum. The aim was to elicit elements for improving student counseling. As part of a large multidisciplinary survey, 36 third-year students (74% response rate) answered a modified version of the Experiences of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire in 2006. In this study, the authors used students' responses to questions regarding examinations and the progress of studies. In addition, students were classified in the large survey into four clusters according to their approaches to studying. Study success was evaluated by exploring the number of study credits students had earned and their grade point averages. The differences in study success between the clusters were not statistically significant, but, in general, students applying a deep approach were most successful, whereas unorganized students applying a deep approach showed the largest variation in study progress. The most commonly mentioned factors for enhancing or impeding study progress were related to the curriculum and to the students' actions or experiences. Unorganized students applying a deep approach seemed to suffer the most from the workload and pressure of progressing in their studies according to a predetermined timetable. These students were also most unaware of the examinations' demands. The findings suggested that, in addition to curriculum development, there is a need to explicitly make students aware of their approaches to learning and to support the development of their study practices.

Yliopistopedagogisella tutkimuksella on merkittävä rooli yliopisto-opetuksen kehittämisessä ja opiskelijoiden oppimisen laadun edistämisessä. Yliopisto-opettajan käsikirjassa esitellään uusinta yliopistopedagogista tutkimustietoa ja käytännönläheisiä esimerkkejä muun muassa opetuksen suunnittelusta, uusista opetusmenetelmistä, vaihtoehtoisista tenttikäytännöistä ja opintojen ja opinnäytetöiden ohjauksesta. Käsikirja tukee opettajan pedagogisen ajattelun kehittymistä. Kirjoittajat toimivat Helsingin yliopistossa yliopisto-oppimisen ja -opettamisen asiantuntijoina, ja kirjan aiheet perustuvat heidän opetus- ja koulutuskokemuksiinsa sekä tutkimuksiinsa.

International students study in new, unfamiliar teaching-learning environments (TLEs) and may thus experience study-related burnout. However, little research exists on the relationship between perceptions of the TLE and such burnout, especially among international students. Nevertheless, one key factor is thought to be students’ approaches to learning. This study investigated the relationship between international students’ perceptions of the TLE, approaches to learning and study-related burnout and how these approaches mediate the relationship between perceptions of the TLE and burnout. The data were collected among international students (n = 162) in a research-intensive Scandinavian university and analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that international students’ study-related burnout correlated negatively with perceptions of the TLE (alignment, interest and relevance, constructive feedback and peer support). Their study-related burnout was positively related to the unreflective approach to learning and negatively related to the deep approach to learning and organized studying. The study proved that approaches to learning acted as mediators between perceptions of the TLE and study-related burnout. The findings indicated that how the dimensions of study-related burnout were affected by different constructs of perceptions of the TLE and approaches to learning among international students. Based on these findings, the study provides implications for improving teaching. Future research should focus on the relationship between the deep approach to learning and exhaustion and how peer support affects study-related burnout.