Arctic Pedagogy Study Tour with Australian Teachers
We were thrilled and privileged to host a delegation of 20 Australian teachers in Finland! The Arctic Pedagogy Study Tour combined the enchanting atmosphere of Northern Finland with top-tier educational insights. The purpose of this tour was to showcase the key elements of Finland’s education system while allowing participants to immerse themselves in Finnish pedagogical innovations within a magical winter setting. Before the main study tour program in Oulu, this enthusiastic group, led by Tours for Teachers, had already enjoyed the breathtaking experiences of Lapland in Rovaniemi—including snowmobiling, a Northern Lights tour, husky sledding, and a visit to the Arctic Snowcastle. After unwinding with an invigorating Finnish Sauna Experience on Monday evening, they were fully energized and eager to learn! Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna combined with a dip in ice cold water is a memorable experience, even for Finns!
Life-long learning, STEAM education and Ice Skating!
We commenced our school visits in Oulu with a visit to Kastelli Upper Secondary School and Early Childhood Education Unit. It was enlightening to observe Finland’s holistic approach to education, integrating play-based learning in early childhood with personalized pathways in upper secondary education. Finnish Education System´s core idea is “No dead ends” which means that you can always continue studies, also as an adult! Never stop learning.
Next day, on a crisp winter day, a group of international guests embarked on an educational visit to Yli-Ii in Northern Finland. Their journey began with a bus ride to a local family’s home, where they were warmly welcomed by the family’s children. The visitors had the unique opportunity to learn about reindeer husbandry and even feed the reindeer with lichen.
Following this, we traveled back time at the Kierikki Centre, which offers a comprehensive portrayal of Stone Age life, discovering Finland’s ancient history. The immersive experience provided a fascinating glimpse into ancient times.
Lunch was a cozy affair, enjoyed around a campfire in the kota (a traditional Finnish hut) at Yli-Ii School. This hut is built by parents of the school community. The chilly weather added to the charm, and some guests even took the chance to ice skating on the school playground.
A highlight was our visit to Yli-Li Comprehensive School, where we explored innovative education practices and insightful conversations with passionate educators.
The school visit focused on its diverse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education and special education programs. The visitors engaged with various groups and special classes, including a crafts class where they collaborated with students to create laser-engraved keychains as souvenirs.
The school’s student-centered approach, the friendliness of the students, and the variety of teaching methods and learning environments left a lasting impression on the visitors.
In the evening this joyful group cheered on the local team at an exhilarating ice hockey game – what an atmosphere!
Nature School, Versatile Learning Environments and Future Trends
At Timosenkoski Nature School, the visitors learned about The Environmental Programme which is one of Oulu City Strategy’s action plans. Its goal is the preservation of the environment and supporting the city’s vitality.
The programme includes four focus areas (Sustainability, Act Resource-Wisely, Strength from Nature, Environmental Responsibility). This Nature School welcomes over 6000 students every year from different schools. For the youngest ones (1st-2nd grades) the aim is to get to know nature, use their senses, feel, taste and have positive experiences in the woods. With older students (3rd-6th grades) they focus on research and studies done outdoors such as at a nearby swamp.
Our group experienced the same activities that children enjoy during their visits. The engaging outdoor activities combined with the educational experience inspired the visitors to playfully compete against each other, filling the yard with laughter. From exploring the surrounding natural environment to participating in hands-on learning experiences, everyone had the chance to connect with nature and embrace the beautiful Finnish outdoors. The visitors also participated in a multi-sensory space-themed lesson both indoors and outdoors, alongside the students.
We concluded our series of school visits with a stop at Hiukkavaara Comprehensive School, which serves students from grades 1 to 9. Established in 2017, this state-of-the-art institution accommodates over 1,000 students and stands out for its innovative educational practices. Featuring open-plan classrooms, a strong emphasis on phenomena-based learning, and a collaborative team-teaching approach, the school provided an inspiring example of how flexible and interactive learning environments can positively impact student success.
Our group was highly impressed by the school’s overall design, interior solutions, and teaching methodologies. During our visit, we observed the beginning of a lesson and later explored the study areas, witnessing students engaging in independent and small-group work.
The day concluded with a visit to Oulu University, where they attended a lecture about Finnish teacher education. The week culminated in discussions about educational trends and the school of the future, with a significant focus on the role of artificial intelligence in education.
We are on the right track!
We wrapped Arctic Pedagogy Study Tour with a Farewell Dinner. We enjoyed our last evening together, tasted traditional Finnish food and had a feedback session. Learning from each other is the cherry of the cake! He are some comments and reflections heard during the final evening together.
Some key takeaways:
- Education is highly valued in Finnish society
- Less is more: less testing, less pushing, less teacher-led learning…
- Even rural schools have high quality and use of technology
- Never ending learning opportunities for adults, too!
- The principal is involved in everyday school life.
- With simple activities you get good learning experiences.
- I am going to trust my students more.
- The little ones can do a lot themselves – we are doing too much for the students, let´s slow down
- Co-teaching and phenomenon-based learning were so inspiring!
- Happy students and happy teachers in a calm and peaceful working atmosphere
- Let’s the kids be kids – let´s not demand and push them too much too early.
- Flexible and versatile learning environments gave food for thoughts
- Similar things are done in Australia – we’re on the right track!
On behalf of team Learning Scoop, we would like to say a BIG thank you for taking part of the Arctic Pedagogy Study Tour in Oulu, Finland. It was wonderful to have you here and we have heard so many positive comments and feedback about the week! We hope you got many new ideas which you can take back to your important daily work. We are very grateful and pleased to collaborate with Tours for Teachers and get to know experts like you!
P.S. Do you wish to visit Finland? Join our study tours, see the schedule and start booking!
