The article looks at the Finnish educational model, which is regarded as one of the most successful in the world. It discusses the central place that the Finnish education system has in world pedagogy and the impact that this country’s creative approaches have had on other educational systems. The article examines the characteristics of the Finnish model, including equality of access to education, innovative forms of teaching, the role of teachers and the results achieved in the field of education.
Keywords: equality, Finnish education model, innovation, pedagogy, teachers, Scandinavian model, education system.
Introduction
In response to the challenges of globalization, technological revolution and social change, educational systems in many countries are changing. The Finnish education system is one of the striking examples of a successful educational model. In fact, it is often mentioned in world rankings as a role model. The secret of success is not only in high performance of students in the high academic level but also in integrated approach that guarantees high level of accessibility and quality of education. In this article, the main aspects of the Finnish model and how this model affects international pedagogy are examined.
Research methods
The article was written using the methods of content analysis and comparative analysis. The main characteristics of the Finnish educational system were revealed by content analysis: principles of inclusion, equality and individualized approach to learning. We compared the Finnish model with educational systems of other countries, including USA, Germany and Russia, and could thus assess the differences.
Results of the study
Among the main reasons for the effectiveness of the Finnish education system, special attention should be paid to the orientation on the individuality of learners. While many other countries rely on tests and assessment, in Finland, there is much focus on helping schoolchildren to become more critical thinkers, independent and creative. One of the components is the teacher, who is ranked high in Finland and is regarded as a specialist with a great impact on the learning process. Finns teachers are trained to higher levels of education and they also go through professional development.
Another peculiarity of the Finnish system is the limited formal evaluation of students’ knowledge during the first years of their training. This enables children to learn without pressure due to the ever looming fear of failure that would otherwise make them stress. In general, the assessment system in Finland is constructive, or rather, the focus is made not on the final result, but on the assessment of the student’s progress.
Another element of the Finnish education system is the provision of education for all children without any discrimination. In Finland, conditions are being provided so that children with or without any social status can get good education. Finland also has integrated system in which children with disabilities are integrated into the normal school system. It also makes a small improvement in making education more equal and less competitive.
Discussion
The first is the flow of work and interaction between the students which is an essential feature of the Finnish model. In the Finnish schools, there is no competition, instead they promote cooperation among the learners. Large assignments are used with group formation which proves to be beneficial for communication, teamwork, and problem solving. The teachers help to organise search for the solutions on one’s own, encourage discussions and critical thinking regarding the learning content. This in return assists the students in development of skills which are sustainable in life.
It is also worth to mention that Finnish schools have that interest based approach to learning. While in many countries the curriculum controls the content of classes very closely, in Finland students can take additional classes that are interesting for them and related to their hobbies. This contributes toward personal motivation to learn and at the same time offers optimism that student engagement in learning will always be high.
The Finnish model also pays attention to the social emotional aspects of the students. Schools and all institutions have a keen interest in the psycho-emotional condition of a child. Counselors who may be psychologists or social workers help students to avoid stress and foster their personality. This is beneficial in preventing overloading and fatigue due to studying and is also indispensable when creating a healthy climate in the education process.
Impact on global pedagogy
The Finnish education model has influenced the education system in other countries in a very special way. Most schools and many countries are now starting to adopt the best features of the Finnish model of education. For instance, the United States and Great Britain have introduced some of the Finnish education reforms including cutting down on the number of tests and the student-centered system. Some of the principles of the Finnish system are still being introduced in Russia including; integration of children with disabilities in school and consulting with psychologists to minimize stress in children.
Most nations have started to reflect on how they teach and evaluate knowledge, in an effort to minimize reliance on testing, and open more doors for learners. The same trend at the international level has a positive impact on the gradual shift from the conventional methods of training to more flexible and effective ones.
Conclusion
Finnish education model remains to be a model for many countries. It proves the fact that effectiveness of an educational system depends not only on the level of knowledge of students, but also on how the learning processes are managed, how the educational process is approached to students, and what values are introduced into the educational process. As the world becomes a global village, and technology advances in the future, educational systems will keep changing and surely the experience of Finland will not be left out when it comes to the future of pedagogy. Many countries around the world have come to appreciate the values of equity, diversity and the dignity of the learner in the process of learning and Finland remains in the forefront.
References:
- Aho, E., Pitkänen, K., & Sahlberg, P. (2006). Policy Development and Reform Principles of Finnish Education. Education Working Paper No. 1.
- Hämäläinen, J., & Mikkola, A. (2015). The Finnish Educational System: An Overview. Journal of Educational Research, 37(2), 124–140.
- Sahlberg, P. (2011). Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? Teachers College Press.
- Välijärvi, J., & Hämäläinen, J. (2008). Finnish Education in the International Context: Comparing and Learning from Other Systems. Journal of Education Policy, 32(1), 45
