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Abstract

Finland - the 'poster child' of innovative education, had long-surprised experts with its consistently high PISA rankings and novel pedagogies. The Finnish system was all about less or no testing, a lot of play, collaboration and trust, among others. Its bachelor, master and doctoral programs had no tuition fees. The teaching profession was highly respected with many barriers to entry. Finland considered investments in teachers' training critical. In 2016, the tried and tested system was overhauled to give way to Phenomenon-based learning. Teaching had to be more collaborative and the onus was on students to decide relevant topics around which their subjects would be based. Traditional subjects underwent a radical change as the new method comprised teaching of broad topics by combining different skills. Students could learn language, geography and geology by recognising countries on a map and discussing climates, but in French. This multi-disciplinary approach was met with ample doubts. Certain analysts felt it would increase the gap between the bright and the average students, while others felt Finland was ruining a set method in the garb of preparing students for the modern world. Still others lambasted the system as a whole, warning against its adoption anywhere else. There were also those who questioned the very essence of Finland's ideology of education for economy rather than nation building. Would Finland continue to inspire or was its ideology misplaced?
Location:
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Other setting(s):
2017

About

Abstract

Finland - the 'poster child' of innovative education, had long-surprised experts with its consistently high PISA rankings and novel pedagogies. The Finnish system was all about less or no testing, a lot of play, collaboration and trust, among others. Its bachelor, master and doctoral programs had no tuition fees. The teaching profession was highly respected with many barriers to entry. Finland considered investments in teachers' training critical. In 2016, the tried and tested system was overhauled to give way to Phenomenon-based learning. Teaching had to be more collaborative and the onus was on students to decide relevant topics around which their subjects would be based. Traditional subjects underwent a radical change as the new method comprised teaching of broad topics by combining different skills. Students could learn language, geography and geology by recognising countries on a map and discussing climates, but in French. This multi-disciplinary approach was met with ample doubts. Certain analysts felt it would increase the gap between the bright and the average students, while others felt Finland was ruining a set method in the garb of preparing students for the modern world. Still others lambasted the system as a whole, warning against its adoption anywhere else. There were also those who questioned the very essence of Finland's ideology of education for economy rather than nation building. Would Finland continue to inspire or was its ideology misplaced?

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Location:
Industry:
Other setting(s):
2017

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