Finland: A model of what is possible within our Professional Learning Community
Patricia M. Page2014 RI Teacher of the YearBusiness & Computer Tech Educator
Disclaimer: The professional perspective I present is my own. It may not reflect the policy or programmatic position of the East Greenwich Public Schools or the RI Department of Education and related entities.
❏ Social welfare structure
❏ Continuity at policy level
❏ Singular value system
❏ SisuDavid Bosso blog: highlighting cultural differences
❏ Trust in teachers and system
❏ Autonomy
Finland:U.S. Comparative Data ***
Education in Finland versus “US”: Focused on the Possibilities
❏ Teacher preparation and pedagogy
❏ Vertical articulation PK-20: “no dead ends”
❏ Formative versus summative “autopsy” assessment [matriculation exam]
❏ Frameworks based on national “curriculum”Full curriculum link
❏ Targets beyond PISA: “create future we want”
❏ Movement toward phenomena-based learning
Finland’s Focus
1 Stupid is no longer stupid 2 Grades do not represent the full scope of learning
3 Teachers must not work alone
4 Tear the school down, build a village 5 Degrees do not matter, competencies do
6 Jungle of projects is senseless 7 Fairness replaces equality 8 Technology is about humans, not devices
9 Education is worth taking to places where it does not exist
10 Love cannot be measured but it can be seen
LINK
VISION 2025
Link to ICT (Techology Plan)
Narrative Shift
Dialing down the deficit dialogue
Which student will be equipped to tackle the challenges of citizenship & life in the 21st C? @kenkay21
Finland: A model of what is possible within our Professional Learning Community
Forward Focus After Finland: action items identified by U.S. educators
> Principals to co-teach one class per year
> Finalists for all teaching positions to conduct a lesson
> Identify key phenomena to replace subject-specific inquiry-based projects
> Review schedule to increase just-in-time conversations among teachers and administrators between classes
>Delegate more responsibility and authority to teams of teachers; avoid bifurcation
Links to ResourcesFinnish Education in a Nutshell: pamphlet-format overview of education governance; teacher credentialing and operational philosophy
Ideology and Implementation: presentation by Kristiina Volmari, Finnish National Board of Education
Check out http://centerforstudentwork.elschools.org to see examples of student work that reflects 21st Century skills. #EFSummit @ExpedLearning
Competency resources at http://edleader21.com
