Promoting significant learning in a cultural craft course

The study explores creating intentional cultural dialogue through craft and cultural heritage and examines significant learning experiences of a cultural craft course reported by thirty-two (N = 32) exchange students. The students were from ten countries and studied Cultural Heritage and Craft Education in the International Study Programme at the University of Eastern Finland during the academic year 2018–19. The methods applied in the course were significant learning and collaborative designing for supporting cultural dialogue. Data were collected through reflective essays and reported in Dee Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning framework. The analysis identified six types of significant learning experiences and confirmed that cultural heritage embodied in crafts serves as a significant platform for cultural dialogue. That is, a holistic craft process including designing, making and reflective evaluation can support cultural learning. The research contributes to the development of international study courses and provides means to enhance cultural dialogue in the context of craft education.