Finnish Teacher Education in Action

As part of the celebration of Helsinki - World Design Capital for 2012, the University's Department of Teacher Education has produced a series of videos about teacher education (each subtitle is the link to YouTube).  Which video clip highlights best the differences between Finland and U.S.A.'s teacher training?

Becoming aTeacher
This first video introduces the respect that the teaching profession has in Finland and why so many Finns are proud to pursue this calling.

Finnish Teacher Education
The teacher education approach emphasizes their training and preparation for the teaching to the whole child.  Teachers are required to earn a master’s degree which usually takes five years.

TeachingPractice - Reflection in Action
This video clip is of two student teachers who are working together with a supervising master teacher in a sixth grade class at the practice teaching school.  An instructor from the university (my advisor) also observes and facilitates reflection during the practice teaching. (We are in the back of the class observing this lesson.)  As I stated in an earlier post, this practice teaching series happens three times during their training.

Tribute toDiversity
This segment provides background on the teacher’s code of ethics and among the techniques the supervising teacher models for the student teachers is differentiated instruction.

Smartphone inTeaching and Learning

This is a six minute video clip about using Smartphones in class.  I am not sure how many teachers are using this technique, but it is great to see the productive use of this technology.

Built in Breaks for All Ages

Doubt you know this, but the most common instructional hour for students and teachers in Finland is to have 45 minutes of instruction followed by a 15 minute break -- for both the kids & teachers.  This is at all grade levels: primary, lower secondary (middle school), and upper secondary.  Everyone takes breaks.  (Some of the schools I visited - especially middle school (gr 7-9) --- have adjusted the schedule to have 75 or 90 minute periods followed by 15 minute breaks.)

Teachers typically go to the teachers' lounge, share a cup of coffee, and return to their class refreshed.  (Hmm - I am lucky to see many of my colleagues over a 45 minute lunch break and my preparation period, however, most of my CPS colleagues in 450 elementary schools have not seen or had a break with their colleagues once their school day started.)   We could benefit from a few more breaks in our school day with colleagues and without students.

So our own kids who are in 2nd grade and 5th grade here in Helsinki typically have 3 to 5 fifteen minute recesses a day.  In these grades, the students go outside year round (cold, snow, or light rain) for some fresh air and exercise.  I believe many of the younger kids in Chicago have at least 1 break in the day, but all of our grades (primary, intermediate, and middle school) could benefit from a few more breaks.

All or most teachers take one turn a week supervising the kids during a recess or lunch. 

Hmm, do you think Chicago teachers would supervise kids one day a week to build in more breaks to the instructional day?

Fulbright Buddy: Eija

Today was a special day -- met "my buddy" Eija Kauppinen at the National Board of Education (NBE). Eija went to the U.S. last year with the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching program so she can understands better than most what I will try to accomplish. Eija is a counselor with music education with Finland's NBE. We had lunch at the NBE, Eija shared her experiences in the U.S. and I had a chance to explain my goals and plans for my project in Finland. After lunch, Eija took me upstairs to meet Leo Pahkin, Counsellor of Mathematics Education at the Finnish National Board of Education. Leo recommended some schools to visit and also welcomed me to return and discuss my experiences visiting mathematics teachers in Finland. Another great day with access to important, collaborative decision makers with education in Finland.