Finland took its first step towards reforming its education system. Public schools will now be required to have at least one extended period of phenomenon-based learning, different from the traditional education system used today in North America. Instead of taking classes on subjects like math, science and history, students will be learning about specific topics and with it each subject that pertains to it. For example, students may learn about World War II and this would include geography, politics, history, and foreign culture. Most schools have at least two phenomenon-based learning classes, each a few weeks in length. However, Finland plans to introduce this new education system gradually and by 2020 have all public schools fully converted to phenomenon-based learning.
Finland’s innovative approach to education will make it easier for students and teachers to connect by creating a more open and relaxed environment where students are encouraged to speak more casually and share their ideas. Also, students will be allowed to choose which phenomenon they would like to learn about. This will allow students to take classes on subjects that are of interest to them and topics that will of usefully to them in the future. Additionally, students will be taking a mixture of online and in-class lessons.
However, teachers were already incorporating phenomenon-based learning techniques into their lessons before the change of August 2016 was made. It seems Finnish teachers focus what a student can learn that will help them in life instead of what exams or scores say they should learn. Furthermore, Finland’s education system is decentralized, meaning the teachers can alter and plan their lessons based on what their individual preferences are. For some time now Finland has been one of the world’s leading countries in education so their bold step towards reform isn’t surprising.
interesting
New age, new dispensation, new minds and new everything. Things are changing and getting revolutionized each day. With the advancement in technology, I'm beginning to wonder if students will ever have to go to school in the next 50 years.
Sooo, basically going back to how school was taught in the 1800s?
Well, except for the lack of discipline.
It will make an easy life for children and teachers, but how is it reflected on education?
There are many articles about splendid Finnish educational system, but not too many Finnish Universities are in the top ranks(only 1 in top 100, and very close to 100)... that gives some food for thought ...
What about write and read? Or they will have a lot of "knowledge" about the 2 WW, politics and so on (poor kids, I would prefer to play than to know about wars as a kid) but they will be analphabets... More easy to control maybe? It is not a secret in Europe that normal schools in here are "Non-thinking-workers-makers". And do not get me wrong, my kid is going to a Montessori school so I am all the way against the normal educational system here but... They are things we need for to understand the world we are living and write and read is one of them... it is so easy to control the way of thinking of the small kids, if you do it with them I will call it more indoctrination of a generation, think about it... I can make a lot of stories. I am from Cuba so I know what mind control to kids means.
And after this education the Finland population will be easy to embrace Universal income
Its very interesting any kind of teaching is good. If they are leaders in education they must know the right ways to engage the children. Thanks for sharing
That's interesting. I kinda figured with the way the internet is changing the world our school systems will have to change eventually to adapt to what the world will be like 20yrs from now