Reclaimed – “Last Day of DETEF”
Really it is only the last ‘official’ day of DETEF. Today was one of the busiest days I have ever had in Helsinki, period. Let me begin with the morning. A few DETEF students were interested in touring the Crafts Teacher training facilities at the University of Helsinki. I have to say that this tour…
Reclaimed – “Special Education Site Visits”
Today I went to Toivola special school in Helsinki. I’ll point out right now that Finland differs from Saskatchewan in how special education is offered. Both places have part-time special education that takes place in the regular classroom, as well as part-time and more full-time assistance in resources rooms. Where they differ is that Finland still…
Reclaimed – “Video Research in Education”
One potential solution to our problem from yesterday is the video research method. Remember that there is trouble in having a macro view of education when trying to understand the entire system. However, even Finnish education experts refer to the classrooms of Finland as black boxes, it is difficult to say what really happens in…
Reclaimed – “Special Education in Finland”
Today we had our introduction to special education in Finland. The instructor this morning talked about PISA, again. However as I think I’ve mentioned before it was helpful to have the perspectives from many instructors. Some interesting comparisons he drew were between medicine and education. He compared PISA to an epidemiological study, which I though…
Reclaimed – “Another weekend in Helsinki”
Friday evening rolled along and I went for dinner with a friend to Zetor. This was supposed to have great food and somewhat “traditional” Finnish foods. This place was pretty out of the ordinary. Upon arrival (after 8pm) we were ID’d. Apparently the place is a restaurant/bar/club. Ok fair enough so lets see some pictures.…
Reclaimed – “Teacher Education in Finland”
You can find all kinds of information about the Finnish teacher education programs, so for this post I may only show some blurbs from my notes. There are four factors that result in a strong teaching profession: common, consistent, long-term policy educational equality devolution of decision power to the local level culture of trust (ok,…
Reclaimed – “Designing Music”
I saw this busker today and thought from a design perspective it was so cool! Enjoy
Reclaimed – “Testing or Not Testing, the PISA question?”
Today we heard about and discussed the infamous PISA tests. First I would just like all of you to see this video. Keep a few things in mind: I have just finished hearing about how people are portrayed either by culture, nation, etc. So watch for that. What is this video really saying? And I…
Reclaimed – “Site Visits and Multiculturalism”
Well the day began with some networking, several of the DETEF students gathered at Minerva before our little field trip to discuss what we have learned, as well as learn more about each other. The group is interesting in that we can come together and move apart so fluidly. It really reminds me of ETAD802…
Reclaimed – “Interculturalism in Schools”
The last two days we have been learning about/discussing multiculturalism, interculturalism, culture, and what the heck that means…I think? These lectures have blasted open my way of thinking, and after the first morning my brain was swollen and throbbing with new ideas and connections. So maybe we can break into this with somethings I have…