General Instructions for Using MAPPA.fi

The content on MAPPA is primarily intended for teaching, education, and youth work. Further publication or commercial use of the content without the author’s permission is prohibited. Each MAPPA publisher and user is responsible for the content they upload. Each MAPPA user is responsible for assessing the suitability of the material or service for their specific purpose. Please review the MAPPA.fi Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. (both only in Finnish)

Only add content that you have permission to publish. Copyright is governed by the Copyright Act and the Copyright Decree. Learn more about the basics of copyright, for example, through Kopiosto’s “ABC of Copyright.”

On MAPPA, you’ll find a comprehensive selection of materials, training courses, events, and other services for environmental education, teaching skills for a sustainable lifestyle, and supporting outdoor education for various age groups and a wide range of purposes. For example, you can search by keyword, browse materials in themed collections, explore services in your area, and check out current events and training sessions. Be sure to use the filter feature to refine your search results!

By registering for the service, you can also mark your favorite materials, create themed backpacks, or share content you’ve created yourself with others. MAPPA already has over 300 content creators, or publishers.

Thematic packs, along with the Interdisciplinary Learning Modules Tool and the Curriculum Tool, enable the design of various learning modules. Ready-made learning modules are available to all MAPPA users. You can compile any MAPPA materials into theme packs, and with the Interdisciplinary Learning Modules Tool, you can combine multiple theme packs into a single interdisciplinary learning module. Using the Curriculum Tool, you can link materials to curriculum objectives.

New materials and updates to existing materials are welcome. This ensures that the content of the resource bank remains as comprehensive as possible and meets the needs of its users. You can also suggest new materials and services by sending us feedback.

The MAPPA.fi service is maintained by the Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools.

Instructions

Materials

Quick Guide: How to Search for Materials

BASIC SEARCH: Enter a search term and click “Search.”

You can also search for materials for your target audience without entering a search term: select the target audience from the drop-down menu and click “Search.”

When you enter multiple search terms, the search will find all materials that include any of those terms as a keyword. You can also enter a search term in both singular and plural forms, for example, “fox” and “foxes.”

If there are many search results, it’s a good idea to narrow down the search using the filters on the left: in addition to the target group, you can select the intended use, suitability for school subjects, language of the material, publication format, publisher, and the material’s public status.

Use the “Sort” button above the search results to change the order of the results: most relevant first or by publication date.

To view details about the material you’ve selected and access the link to the resource, click “Read more.” On the material’s catalog card, you’ll see classification information for each item as links that take you to other materials in the same category. The material’s keywords also function as links.

Tip: When you’re logged into MAPPA and searching for materials, you can save your favorites by clicking the star on the right side of the material. You can access your favorites from the top bar under “My Materials.”

Quick Guide: Adding Materials

Note: You can only add materials to the MAPPA.fi service for which you have the necessary rights. Each publisher is responsible for the content, quality, accuracy, and updating of their own materials.

  • Log in to MAPPA (click the icon in the upper right corner and select “Log In”)
  • Select “My Materials” from the top bar
  • Select “New Material” from the left-hand bar and fill in the material’s basic information, content classifications, and usage details. If your material is not yet online, you can upload it as a PDF file to MAPPA (max. 128MB).
  • Finally, select “Save.”
  • Your material will appear on the MAPPA.fi service as soon as the administrators have approved it.

Registration

By registering for the MAPPA.fi service, you can:

  • add your own materials for everyone to use
  • save your favorite materials as bookmarks
  • create your own themed collections and interdisciplinary learning modules (MOK)
  • add your own services to the service search
  • add events to the calendar

Quick Guide: How to Register

  1. Select the icon on the right side of the top bar and choose “Register Here” from the drop-down menu
  2. Fill in your information. If you want to create a separate publisher account for your organization or school, check the corresponding box and fill in the publisher’s details. Finally, click “Register.” You’ll receive an invitation email. NOTE! Invitation links are sent manually and only on weekdays, so please allow for a slight delay. The Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools is responsible for issuing usernames. Sometimes invitation emails end up in the spam folder, so please check your spam folder as well.
  3. Create a username following the instructions you received via email
  4. Log in to the MAPPA.fi service

Service Search and Calendar

Quick Guide: Different Ways to Use the Service Search

  1. Explore the map by zooming in on the areas you’re interested in and click on services to open them from the map. Please note that location-independent services do not appear on the map but are listed below the map.
  2. Search for services by narrowing down your search based on area, target group, or the type of service offered. If you’re looking for a specific service, you can also search by keyword. You can choose to view the search results either on the map or as a list.

Quick Guide: Different Ways to Use the Calendar

  1. You can search for various events by filtering them by category, target group, area, or whether the event is free.
  2. If you’re looking for a specific event, you can use a search term.
  3. Note: Events that are not date-specific are listed below the calendar!

Quick Guide: Adding a Service to MAPPA

  1. Log in to MAPPA, select “My Services” from the top bar, and then select “New Service” from the left sidebar
  2. Enter the basic information about the service. If you want the service to appear on MAPPA’s Finnish (and/or Swedish ) pages as well, enter the basic information in those languages too. Each service must therefore be added separately. For example, if you offer canoe rentals, a nature trail, and training for teachers, you must create three separate services. If you’re publishing the service under your organization’s name, select your organization as the publisher instead of your own name. In this case, the organization’s information will be automatically filled in on the next page as well.
  3. Add the service’s contact information and classification.
  4. Your service will appear on the MAPPA.fi platform as soon as the administrators have had time to approve it.

Quick Guide: Adding a Calendar Entry

  1. Log in to MAPPA, select “My Events” from the top bar, and then select “New Event” from the left sidebar
  2. Enter the event’s basic information. If you want the event to appear on MAPPA’s Finnish (and/or Swedish ) pages as well, enter the basic information in those languages too. If you’re publishing the event under your organization’s name, select your organization as the publisher instead of your own name. This will automatically populate the organization’s details on the next page as well.
  3. Add the event’s contact information and category.
  4. Save. Your event will appear in the calendar as soon as the administrators have had a chance to approve it.

Theme Collections 

Quick Guide: Theme Collections

  1. Browse themed backpacks. You can also sort them by date.
  2. Search for themed backpacks by keyword or target audience.
  3. You can also narrow your search by intended use, subject area, or publisher.
  4. Log in to create your own themed backpacks.

Quick Guide: Creating a Theme Backpack

  1. Log in to the MAPPA.fi service.
  2. Select “My Theme Backpacks” from the top bar, then “New Theme Backpack” from the left sidebar.
  3. Carefully fill in the backpack’s basic information.
  4. Gather the contents of the theme pack by either 1.) searching all materials using the quick search, 2.) selecting from your favorites or your own materials, and/or 3.) selecting from all materials using the filtering options.
    Arrange the materials in the order you want.
  5. Categorize the contents of your theme backpack.
  6. Provide additional information about your theme backpack (Note: References to curricula are now included as new additional information) and finally save it. Your theme backpack will be published as soon as the administrators have had time to approve it.

Building a Multidisciplinary Learning Module in MAPPA Using the MOK Tool

Quick Guide: MOK Tool

  1. Select “My MOKs” from the top bar and “New MOK” from the left sidebar.
  2. Create an MOK framework that includes information on, for example, the target group, objectives, collaboration, participation, and reflection. You can add and remove subheadings from the MOK template.
  3. Link the theme packs that contain content and methods for implementing the learning module to your MOK plan. Search for packs by browsing all theme packs, your own theme packs, or your favorites.
  4. Select “Save.” The MOK will be published as soon as the administrators have had a chance to approve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

General:

We want to earn your trust and respect your privacy. Please take your time to review our Privacy Policy, where we provide more details about how we process personal data.

You do not need to log in to use the service. With a username, you can save items to your favorites, create your own themed collections, or add your own content, such as resources, services, and events. If you forget your password, you can create a new one using the link on the login page.

The MAPPA.fi resource bank was developed between 2013 and 2016 with funding from a project grant for environmental education awarded by the Central Finland ELY Center. The Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools now manages and develops the portal as part of an organizational grant for the youth sector awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Materials:

MAPPAs materials are generally free of charge and intended for use in teaching, education, and youth work. Publishing or commercial use of the materials without the author’s permission is prohibited (terms of use).

MAPPA may also contain some materials that require a fee, and some materials require registration for the relevant service or are otherwise restricted to a specific user group. Any fees or usage restrictions are noted in the description of the content in question.

The materials in MAPPA have been produced by more than 300 different entities. These include organizations, companies, and public administration bodies that promote environmental education, outdoor learning, or sustainability education, as well as individual teachers, educators, and others interested in the subject.

To ensure the quality of the materials, only individuals registered with MAPPA may upload materials. Each contributor is solely responsible for the accuracy of their own materials; the MAPPA administrator does not review the materials.

If you notice inappropriate content, outdated information, or a broken link on MAPPA, please report it using the “Report to Admin” button. Users should verify the origin and reliability of the materials they access and assess their suitability for their intended purpose.

Please also review MAPPAs’ Terms of Use.

Of course you can! The Mappa.fi search service is designed for all materials that support environmental or sustainability education or outdoor learning. The scope of the materials can vary from small, practical tips to comprehensive guides.

Extensive material covering various topics should be added to MAPPA in several smaller sections organized by topic. This way, it serves users better, as they can immediately find the right section of the material based on their MAPPA search.

With MAPPA, the materials produced by various organizations gain greater visibility and are put to better use. MAPPA users can find your materials even if they don’t remember the creator or the website. With a single search, MAPPA users can find materials from multiple organizations. You can categorize your materials, making it easier for users to find them for their specific needs.

Advertisements and social media:

The best way to stay up to date is to actively follow MAPPA’s homepage. You’ll always find the latest content there.

Follow MAPPA on social media as well:

Facebook: @materiaalipankki

Instagram: @haeMAPPAsta

LinkedIn: Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools

You can do this yourself, free of charge:

  • Make sure the content is available for the right purpose: Choose relevant keywords (including for search engines!) and categorize the material based on learning outcomes (OPS & GreenComp)
  • Make the material interesting and up-to-date: Craft a snappy title and a catchy description, and upload a great photo! Keep your organization’s information up to date.
  • Create more content: Also add your services to the MAPPA map and your events to the MAPPA calendar. Compile a themed collection from your materials; you can also add materials created by others on MAPPA to your collection.
  • Link and share information: Post the MAPPA material link on your social media channels and in your newsletters. Embed your content on your own website using the embed code from the MAPPA search results page.

A few more ideas:

  • Purchase a MAPPA advertising banner. (Tip: You can budget for this during the project planning phase.) Or suggest some other form of commercial collaboration to the site administrators.
  • Collaborate, network, and promote your friends’ content as well.
  • Don’t reinvent the wheel—instead, focus on the “best” (i.e., build on what already exists and develop it further).

Read more about advertising or contact the admins: luontokoulut@luontokoulut.fi.

Themed Backpacks:

Theme collections allow you to organize tried-and-true materials by topic into easily discoverable and shareable sets. In the theme collections you create yourself, you can gather your favorite materials on a specific topic and also add your own materials first to MAPPA and then to the theme collection. This way, more educators will be able to discover your materials as well.

Yes! Published themed posts will have a permanent URL that you can share on social media, for example.

Yes! First, add your own materials to MAPPA, and then link them to your theme backpack. It’s a good idea to upload your own materials to MAPPA so that other educators can use them as well.

MOK-tool:

Yes! Documentation of completed projects is also welcome on MAPPA, as it serves as a resource for planning new projects and can be useful to others. Please remember to obtain permission from everyone who contributed to the material to publish the documentation.

To use the MOK tool, you must first register with MAPPA. If the MOK has been published under the name of a publishing entity (e.g., a school or organization), anyone with administrative rights for that entity can edit and update it.

 

Yes and no. You must register to use the MOK tool and compile thematic backpacks, but publishing the creator’s information for multidisciplinary learning modules and thematic backpacks is optional.

The MOK tool serves specifically as a tool and platform for building the project as a whole. That is why MOK is published in MAPPAs immediately; it is not intended to be complete right away. Of course, if you wish, you can mention in the project description, for example, that it is still a work in progress.