Finland won't be teaching 'math' and 'history' anymore

[Jazzy]

Despite having an education system that does not rely on standardized test scores, Finnish students perform extremely well on exams that are given to students all over the developed world.

But now Finland is looking to overhaul its education system and will now focus on more on "topics" and less on subjects, according to The Independent.

The Finns are calling this "phenomena" teaching. The Independent cites an example of a student enrolling in vocational courses who may choose to take lessons in "cafeteria services." In this example, the adolescent student would study math elements and languages – for serving foreign customers – while working on writing and communication capabilities.

Students who are on a more academic track might take a course on the European Union, which would combine elements of history, economics, and foreign languages.

“What we need now is a different kind of education to prepare people for working life," Pasi Silander, Helsinki's city manager told The Independent. “We therefore have to make the changes in education that are necessary for industry and modern society.”

Finland's deviation on educational standards may come as a surprise to some – because Finland trails only Singapore and China in performance on the Program for International Student Assessment, a standardized test given to 15 year olds in 65 of the world's most developed countries.

Finland has served as a model for other countries looking to improve their education systems. Teachers from the United Kingdom have made the trip to study and observe Finnish schools. And Americans who are pushing for educational reform often point to the Finns as a model that encourages students to play as they learn. Students in Finland get 15 minutes of recess in between lessons, and students are not administered standardized tests until they are in high school.

The idea of combining subjects to better facilitate learning is nearly a century old. American philosopher and educational reformer John Dewey thought that schooling should better reflect real life.

Source

Thoughts?

 

[Dee]

I don't see anything wrong with trying something new. Their education system is already top notch, and if it works for them, especially by offering preparation for the real world--something which the American education system is severely lacking--then more power to them and their citizens.

 

[Elvira]

Sounds like a good idea to me!

 

[Evil Eye]

An interesting idea, I think. We'll see how it turns out I guess