The Miracle of Finnish Education – Facts, Illusions and Prospects

University of Minnesota 23rd of March, 2011

Pekka IhanainenPrincipal LectuterHAAGA-HELIA School of Vocational Teacher EducationHelsinki, Finlandpekka.ihanainen(at)haaga-helia.fi

Achievement factors[FACTS]

Transition from schoolingfactories to co-learningand co-teaching of everyone

[ILLUSIONS]

Steps for going forward(and backward)

[PROSPECTS]

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(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8601207.stm)

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PISA Programme for International Student Assessment(OECD)

PISA assesses how far students near the end of compulsory education have acquired some of the knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in society. In all cycles, the domains of reading, mathematical and scientific literacy are covered not merely in terms of mastery of the school curriculum, but in terms of important knowledge and skills needed in adult.

PISA home page(http://www.pisa.oecd.org/pages/0,3417,en_32252351_32235731_1_1_1_1_1,00.html)

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Scientific Literacy

ReadingLiteracy

Mathematical Literacy

2000 III I IV

2003 I I I

2006 I II I

2009 II III VI

PISA results: Finland[facts]

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Achievement factors[facts]

• Equal opportunities

• Comprehensiveness of education

• Competent and highly qualified teachers

• Student counseling and special need education

• Encouraging evaluation

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• Significance of education in society

• A flexible system based on empowerment

• Co-operation

• A student-oriented, active conception of learning

Achievement factors[facts]

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From schooling to co-learning and co-teaching [illusions]

PISA and finnish success tell the story of

an old-fashioned school and education based on industrial society and schooling

Learning does not take place (only) in (traditional) schools

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Equal opportunities - Urban centers vs. neighbouring places/

countryside/suburbs

Comprehensiveness of education - The role of private …

Competent and highly qualified teachers – Competent vs. educated

Student counseling and special need education – Just study vs. both personal counseling

Encouraging evaluation – Outcomes vs. process

Significance of education in society – Business vs. public valued

A flexible system based on empowerment – Flexible system vs. unskilled leaders

Co-operation - Real vs. competitive benefit policy

A student-oriented, active conception of learning – Student-oriented vs. peer-produced

From schooling to co-learning and co-teaching [illusions]

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From schooling to co-learning and co-teaching [illusions]

Expert centred learning and education

Work based learning and education

Life based learning and education

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Schools embedded as natural, invisible and boundless entitiesin creative and collaborative society

[http://www.porvoocampus.fi/]

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Community and competencebased curricula

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Understanding in practice contemporary and

future meta-competences of

time, place and being human

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Pedagogy of individualisation,

personalisation and cyborgisation

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Open and networked teacher education

TEACHER EDUCATION 3.0

No separate institutes

Authenticity of learning

KNOWMADS

… facilitator … organiser …resource producer …co-learner …

PLE - PTE

AUGMENTED REALITY/

BODY

Mobile