Study visit to Finland

Published on Monday, 05 December 2011 08:56

Between 23 and 30 January 2011, a group of five employees of the IBE Science Section (PPP) paid a study visit to Helsinki and Jyvaskyla (about 270 km north-east of Helsinki) in Finland. The main purpose of the visit was to gain better understanding of:

• Finnish education system at ISCED level II;
• methods and forms of school work and teaching conditions for science subjects;
• teacher education and in-service training in Finland..

During the visit the IBE PPP team was accompanied by two interpreters, Ms. Katarzyna Włodecka-Ruutu and Ms. Päivi Erola, who were of great help, not only during lessons and interviews but also in organising daily work schedule.

In Jyvaskyla the team visited four schools at ISCED level II (corresponding to the Polish middle school "gimnazjum"): Nisulanmaen Koulu in Muurame, Tikkakosken Ylaaste in Tikkakoski, Kuokkalan Koulu and a Teacher Training School (Normaalikoulu), where future teachers complete their teaching traineeship. In Helsinki, the team visited two schools: a Swedish language school (Mattlidens Gymnasium) and Tehtaanpuiston Yläasteen Koulu.

The team observed a total of 24 lessons in biology, chemistry and physics, but also took part in mathematics and design technology classes and conducted a number of interviews with head teachers, science teachers and pupils. The team visited the Finnish Institute for Educational Research in Jyvaskyla, the Luma Centre in Helsinki, teacher training school in Normaalikoulu, the Heureka Science Centre near Helsinki and the Educa Education Fair in the Finnish capital. The team members also met with Pasi Reinikainen of The Finnish Education Evaluation Council in Jyvaskyla.

A summary report of the visit is due soon.

The visit was part of the research project “Analysis of the Functioning of Science Education in Selected Countries”