finland us school-comparisons_2012
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Marianna Sydänmaanlakka
Finland - US
Comparisons
WHO AM I ?
Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Guidance Counselor, Leader of the learning environment project
Sotunki General Upper Secondary School, Sotunki Distance Learning CenterCity of Vantaa, Finland
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching, University of Maryland, Fall 2012
My Family
• Experiences and observations by my kids
Recess
Recess – enhancing learning
• 45min lessons – 15min recess after every lesson• Elementary: everybody has to go out regardless of weather
• Middle: students usually stay inside
• Upper sec: length varies from school to school
Tenetin koulu, Sotkamo, Northern FinlandTenet School, Sotkamo, Northern Finland
Assessment – testing – evaluating
• Teacher responsible to give/make assessments • No standardised testing– Some national tests (9th grade english+math), but no
ranking lists • National final exams at the end of 12th grade.• Tests regularly, but not as often as here.• Homework is checked with the whole class, not
evaluated.
Said by my kids
“Well, here they
seem to
concentrate more
on testing than
learning”
“It feels strange
not to have to
produce anything
on your own”
“Why do they use so much multiple
choices? You don’t have to think so
much when you always have the
alternatives…”
Matriculation celebration at Sotunki, spring 2012
Evaluation – self-evaluation
• Kids get report cards twice a year
• Many elementary schools only evaluate soft skills and working skills
• Learn to evaluate yourself !
• 9th grade GPA: apply to upper secondary school
• 12th grade matriculation exams
Textbooks
Text books
• Written by teachers• Age approriate• Thin !
“Here the books are like
encyclopedias – it’s
overwhelming to try to
study…. They are not
engaging.”
Instructions
• In Finland: only general instructions in the classroom and for homework or projects
• Keep it simple and let the students create and think for themselves!
“They have killed the fun of
group projects!”
CONTROL RESPONSIBILITY TRUST
Trusting the student and the teacher is a starting point
Control vs. responsibility
• In Finland the students are trusted to do their homework, dress accordingly and behave appropriately
• No detailed rules• Freedom to play, study and take your own
meal….
Teachers
Teaching profession is highly appreciated in Finland
• In Finland: – No inspections– Collaborative planning– Professional development about 50hrs annually
• Seems to be much less paperwork than here• Accountability (?)
Some other discussion topics
• Special education• Vocational education• Equality in education
“The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher.”
― Elbert HubbardAn American writer, publisher, artist and philosopher
“[Kids] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
― Jim “The Muppet” Henson, It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider
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