If you have not yet heard about Finland being number one in the world in their k-12 education system, you will. Here is a clip that will give you a preview of some of its highlights -- kids have little homework, are rarely tested, 3 months of summer vacation -- still rank at very top. There are additional clips on the side for more details.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bcC2l8zioIw
I found in my further research that the teachers and education system in Finland understand some of the fundamentals we talk about in the U.S., more qualified and better paid teachers, better classrooms, equipment, state-of-the art technology, etc. But I also found a major shift in deciding how to treat students, how to listen to them and how to engage them. Additionally, the most exciting elements include a different focus on what is important to actually teach. The U.S. is still teaching students to memorize facts that are readily available now for anyone to search online.
Rather, Finland schools are answering the pleas of students to help them become Digital Learners:
"Teach me to think, create, analyze, evaluate, share information with each other, to use the www - whatever, wherever, whenever -- tell a story digitally (blog); ENGAGE ME! Help me become a digital learner."
In the U.S., 63% of teachers do not use digital methods for teaching, much less teach kids how to use them. They often ban digital devices from the classroom.
The Finnish schools understand what the NEW critical skills are in our global economy:
· critical thinking & problem solving
· collaboration across networks and leading by influence
· agility and adaptability
· initiative and entrepreneurship
· effective oral and written communication
· accessing and analyzing information
· curiosity and imagination
No comments:
Post a Comment