How Finland became an education leader

How Finland became an education leader

The final point of the article really hit home:
"How did Finland manage to elevate the role of teacher in the eyes of the population to something that is not just an honorable profession, but a revered profession, whereas in the United States, teachers are so regularly denigrated?"

"They really think about teachers as scientists and the classrooms are their laboratories. So, as I mentioned -- every teacher has to have a masters degree, and it's a content degree where they're not just taking silly courses on education theory and history. They're taking content courses that enable them to bring a higher level of intellectual preparation into the classroom. That's the first point.

The second point is that they've defined professionalism as working more collaboratively. They give their teachers time in the school day and in the school week to work with each other, to continuously improve their curriculum and their lessons. We have a 19th century level of professionalism here, or worse, it's medieval. A teacher works alone all day, everyday, and isolation is the enemy of improvement and innovation, which is something the Finns figured out a long time ago. Get the teachers out of their isolated circumstances and give them time to work together."

Web 2.0 and Blooms

This Bloom's triangle says it all.  Click on any of the links.

Isaac Asimov on Computers and Education (1988)

View part 2 of a three part Bill Moyers interview of Isaac Asimov in 1988.  A summary of Asimov's thoughts follow.  Through computers, each child can have an individualized education that was in the past was only accessible to the wealthy.  If all children have access to computers, the creative minds of children will not be stifled by our current system of education.  Students will be guided by teachers on how to access common knowledge, and to interact with others students.    All students can enjoy personal learning, and people of all ages can become learners.    Most people seek good sense, clarity, and truth (Saul Bellows in Herzog).  Things are changing so fast, that we must embrace change.  

Using Technology in Larger Classrooms

If only we had more computers, updated equipment, and equity at schools, we might be able to teach in a blended classroom!  I think it is one solution!  Read the NPR story about blended learning.  I am excited to particpate in a blended classroom this summer in our district.  If it works well, we might be able to teach a blended style in regular classrooms.  I have tried this in adult Reading classes, and was surprised at the number of teachers who resist.  I think self-paced learning combined with direct instruction creates more opportunities for differentiated instruction.