Finnish Education

After a completed course the student will have knowledge and understanding in:

• the basic values, principles, and targets of primary and secondary education;
  
• the main background of curriculum development and reforms of the Finnish education system;
  
• understand the leading principles of the Finnish educational system;
  
• have an understanding of the historical evolvement of the education system since the 1970s; educational change in Finland in light of the European educational reform movement; and future perspectives of formal education in Finland; 
  
• can compare the Finnish educational system to other educational systems in the global world;
  
• have the readiness to discuss educational systems and also introduce the major features of the Finnish educational system and teacher education to international audiences when working as an educational expert.
  

Paths related to the course:

• Path of sustainable development
  
• Path of equality and non-discrimination
  
• Path of special education
  
• Path of digital skills

Completion methods

Achieving the learning outcomes requires a good command of the content of the lectures.

Assessment practices and criteria

Required written assignments vary.

Activities and methods in support of learning

The course is based on versatile student-centered teaching-studying-learning method in different studying environment. Students have reading materials on the Finnish educational system and teacher education that they analyze and reflect on in their assignments. Students are expected to work also collaboratively and share their ideas and thoughts on educational issues. Individual work is included in the course. All materials are in English and are suitable also for those students who will give a talk or presentation about the Finnish educational system. Moodle learning environment will be used throughout the course.

Target groups

Students of Master's Programme in Changing Education, exchange students of the Faculty of Educational Sciences, other students. The course is multidisciplinary and suitable for many types of students at several levels.

Teaching period when the course will be offered

According to the Changing Education study path.

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

If the course is offered as a continuous learning course, it may be taught at a different time.

Study module

Advanced Studies in Educational Sciences

Expiry of studies

Check the University and the Faculty guidelines

Language of instruction

English

EQF Level

EQF 7, Master's programme

Learning materials

• Lefty, & J. Fraser (Eds.) (2020). Teaching the world’s teachers. Johns Hopkins University Press. Finnish National Board of Education (2016). National Core Curriculum for Basic Education 2014. https://www.ellibs.com/book/9789521362590/national-core-curriculum-for-basic-education-2014(Opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
  

Selected material based on the following list:

• Hannele Niemi, Jari Multisilta, Lasse Lipponen ja Marianna Vivitsou (Eds.) (2014). Finnish Innovations and Technologies in Schools. A guide towards New Ecosystem of Learning.
• Meri, M. (2013). Finland. In H. Dörbert & W. Hörner (Eds.). Education systems in Europe. Schneider Verlag.
  
• Hannele Niemi, Auli Toom, Arto Kallioniemi (Eds.) (2016) Miracle of Education (2nd revised). Sense Publishers.
  
• Results of the latest PISA - measurements and other related materials at the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture: http://minedu.fi/en/pisa-en(Opens in a new tab) and on the websites of OECD: http://www.oecd.org/pisa/(Opens in a new tab)
  
• Selected research articles in journals or books that describe the Finnish educational system and teacher education including also Vocational teacher education