Finnish Technology Frontier and Innovations in Education

Last week we welcomed a group of 17 participants from the Education University of Hong Kong. The group included pre-service teachers (Bachelor of Education – Secondary ICT) to learn more about STEAM and Ed Tech in Finnish education as part of their Finnish Technology Frontier and Innovations in Education.

Study Tour included a lecture “Introduction to Finnish Education System and STEAM Education” which covered the principles behind the education system and paradoxes of Finnish Education such as Less is more, No dead ends. Another workshop focused on Digital Learning Platforms and Environments. Participants were interested in learning more about pedagogy and new curriculum at Finnish schools, assessment. Our expert shared knowledge about Ed Tech tools in Finland, digital teaching and learning applications and programs in basic education. During the workshop teachers got to know LessonApp, a mobile tool to design quality lessons.

School visits included a visit to Kaukajärvi School with an emphasis on technology in grades 7 through 9 and Tampere Classical Upper Secondary School with the natural science programme.

Q&A

Our study tours provide a great chance to ask questions from our experts and discuss more in depth. Here is some of them:

1. While stem education is considered something important, how do schools in Finland teach programming skills in grade 3 to grade 6? What is taught when students are still young?
2. How do schools in Finland teach the concept of double-digit multiplication
3. We have noticed that there is a trend in Europe to promote quantum physics/computing knowledge to the public. Do your school have courses or activities to help students know that?
4. How does your school teach AI/generative AI to students and what are teachers’ attitudes toward AI?
5. Why students in Finland don’t wear uniform?
6. How do you enhance students’ digital and AI literacy skills to cope with the 21st century learning needs?
7. How do teachers assess students´ learning performance in terms of formative and summative assessment methods?
8. How do you motivate yourself and other teachers to enhance teacher professionalism so that they can catch up the latest technology trend?
9. What factors would you consider when designing a curriculum for your students?

Which of the questions you found the most interesting ones?

Thank you for visiting Finland and all the best for your teaching career!