ICT in Estonian educationTallinn 2011

Estonia

Tallinn

Estonia is a country with high Internet freedom

According to US-based organisation Freedom House, Estonia has taken the first place on Internet freedom among the countries studied. Internet Freedom was studied in three categories: access, content and violation of the user rights.

The country’s report says the number of the Internet and mobile phone users in Estonia has risen steadily over the past 15 years and in 2009, 72 percent of the population used the Internet regularly.According to Freedom House Estonians use many possibilities the Internet has to offer and it particularly highlighted that 83 percent of the population uses the Internet to communicate with the banks, which is the second highest result in the European Union.In addition, it was highlighted that the Estonian Public Broadcasting publishes its own programs free of charge and sites such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Orkut and many other international portals are popular.The report underlines that the restrictions on the Internet content in Estonia is among the world smallest. However, it added that due to strict privacy laws in Estonia, the content is sometimes removed – this concerns mostly the commentaries.It is also mentioned that from 2010 people were banned from unlicensed gambling sites. Freedom House estimates that the large number of Internet users gives the Estonian government unique opportunities, for example the President has his own Youtube channel.

Tiger Leap ProgramTiger Leap Program was launched in

February 1996 by Estonian President Lennart Meri to adjust the education system to the needs of rapidly evolving information society by equipping schools with modern information and communication technology, linking schools to internet, providing ICT education to teachers, promoting development of teaching/learning software, etc.

The New CurriculumJanuary, 2010 – The curriculum (separate for

the basic and gymnasium school level) approved by the Government of Estonia.

June, 2010 – The new Basic School and Gymnasium School Act passed by Riigikogu (Parliament) .

January, 2011 – The Government approves the curriculum amended according to the new act.

Basic Values of the Curriculum

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Basic values are emphasizing the general human values : • honesty, • care, • respect of life, • justice, integrity, • dignity towards oneself and others

and social values: • freedom, • democracy, • respect of native language and culture, • patriotism, • multiculturalism , • tolerance, • environmental sustainability, • legality, • solidarity, • responsibility and • gender equality.

Basic Values of the Curriculum

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Basic values are emphasizing the general human values : • honesty, • care, • respect of life, • justice, integrity, • dignity towards oneself and others

and social values: • freedom, • democracy, • respect of native language and culture, • patriotism, • multiculturalism , • tolerance, • environmental sustainability, • legality, • solidarity, • responsibility and • gender equality.

Optional courses in the areas and subjects prescribed in the National Curriculum

Language and literature 4Foreign languages 6Mathematics schools enable 14 broad

mathematics coursesNature studies 8Social stiudies 7Physical training 2Religion 2National defence 2Economics and business 2Basis of research work 1

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Gymnasium School Organisation of Studies

Tools for developing financial literacy in schools Game environment `Moneyland` translated

into Estonian on the initiative of Sampo Bank : http://www.rahamaa.ee/

Competition for study materials “Rich Life” organized by Swedbank at the end of 2010.

Dolceta e-textbook at http://www.dolceta.eu/eesti/Mod7/

Teachers`NetGateTeachers’ NetGate (www.koolielu.ee)

containing thousands of study materials as well as the possibility to communicate for teachers was created. Teachers’ NetGate (Koolielu)is also a member European Schoolnet network.

Storage of educational material The purpose of

Miksike www.miksike.ee is to provide a virtual teaching assistance service. Worksheets for Primary/Elementary school also available in english http://lefo.net/

The essence of e-schoolE-school is a solution

that allows parents (and students) to see school information i.e grades, missed classes, home assignments etc. concerning their child over the Internet. It also improves parents’communication with teachers via different Forums.

"It is no longer what you remember, but how well you can search." 21 CENTURY SCHOOL NEEDS NEW APPROACHES

School of the information society

Approaches to learning are changing: as a complement to individual work, team work is

valued; in setting the goals for learning and evaluating learning, more and more consideration is given to the needs of pupils; open tasks and real-life problems are replacing abstract knowledge; authentic context, discussions, self-evaluation by pupils and ability to analyse are becoming important.

Virtual learningThe learning environment is expanding,

and education is moving beyond the limits of the classroom, books and schoolhouse, into the virtual environment. An important position in the

development of pupils and in lifelong learning will be occupied by virtual learning communities, communities on the Internet with similar interests.

All this requires broad-minded application of ICT in school and in curricula.

Consumer Protection BoardSituates opposite to

Government House of Estonia and clouse to Parliament

One of my worktask as a chief specialist is to educate as pupils as teachers so they can act like wise consumers

DVD “Rabbit Juss learns smart consuming”• Juss` and Jass` washing day• Rabbit Juss learns to avoid risks on internet • Rabbit Juss studies travel offers • Rabbit Juss goes on holiday • Juss`and Jass´shopping spree • Juss play a shopkeeper • Juss goes shopping

How does the CD reach the children?

Distributed in all Estonian - and Russian - speaking kindergartens and schools (ca 1300 CDs) March-April, 2011

Cartoons can be watched at: http://www.tarbijakaitseamet.ee/index.php?id=13180 and in YouTube

Conference and projects “Let`s manage…”

What is next-M-learning?

Did you know?Skype basic code was written by Estonians

Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu and Jaan Tallinn. Estonia has become the first country to use

internet voting in parliamentary elections.

Thank you for your attention! Helena Hansen

Consumer Protection Board of Estonia

Consumer Policy and Public Relations Department

Rahukohtu 2, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia+372 620 1709www.tarbijakaitseamet.ee

helena.hansen@tarbijakaitseamet.ee