Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

I recently listened to a radio program where a guy from Finland was talking

about their education system and why the rest of us should be paying

attention. I found this article related to their education system which can

be easily skimmed through to get the main points.


http://www.businessinsider.com/finlands-education-system-best-in-world-2012-11?op=1


What are your thoughts? Would this system work elsewhere?

Why or why not?

Do you think certain aspects of the Finnish system could be adopted in
other countries?

[PatrickGHBusan]

The thing with Finland (and other Scandinavian countries) is that the social contract is very different from many other Western nations. Their education system works as a part of a larger system that is funded through very high taxes. People there accept that because they feel it is better for everyone. They make sacrifices in many areas that would make your average North American tilt.

Now in asian societies that are on average more collectivist, this might work but then again, it would required a social contract that citizens are confortable with.

In Korea for example, where school grades and ranking is considered so important, the Finish model of evaluation for students would perhaps be hard to implement.

In a North American setting, a fully publically funded education system that also steers students towards certain areas depending on how they do would have a hard time being accepted.

It is a very interesting system with a lot of merit and strong points but I am not sure it could be imported (or exported) piecemeal.

[some waygug-in]

I find myself agreeing with much that you wrote.

I am a bit puzzled by this though,

It claims that Finland spends 30% less per student than the US

on education. (it doesn't specify what that means exactly, k - 12 or does

it also include university/college education?)

But from that, why is it that other places couldn't afford to do similar things?

They are getting better results, and spending less.

Shouldn't the rest of us at least see if some parts of their educational

philosophy could be transferable?


I understand what you mean about the social contract and all.


Near the bottom of the article there is a blurb that talks about Norway,
and even though they have a similar social contract, their education system is more along the lines of the US model. IF I'm understanding
what it's saying, it says that Norweigen educational results are similar to those in the US.


Another article that speaks about this topic:

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/

[PatrickGHBusan]

This is a very interesting debate/topic.

I have had numerous discussions on the Scandinavian model and often people (not you) fail to consider that it is not a per-item menu and thus cannot be imported partially.

My mother's friend has a son who married a Finish woman and she has a great perspective on this.

Parts of their educational philosophy could be adapted to other settings but that requires public willingness, governmental action and a changing of social values. All these tend to be hard to get moving!

I was reading about their free university programs but the thinking behind it is far reaching! It implies testing at the High school level for aptitudes and then steering students towards programs that fit their aptitudes. In theory this is smart, in the reality of a North American context, how far would that fly with parents and students who are told "follow your dreams at all costs" "you are unique"?

What happens is that those students that score well on the tests get a chance at admission to a University. Then, if they meet the requirements (academic and other), they get to go and earn a degree, free of tuition. However there are limited spaces and students have to complete their degrees in a set amount of time. Again this works well when people accept the social contract.

So what could be imported? That is quite interesting as a discussion point.

[some waygug-in]

Sorry, I'm not really up for a debate. I was hoping more people would

have something to say about it.

If nothing else, the news article and pictures would make an interesting

discussion topic for Korean adult students or for a teacher training seminar.

Perhaps individual teachers or parents could draw some wisdom from the

Finnish model when making educational decisions for their own students/children.

(like considering starting them in school later rather than earlier)

Anyway, I really don't have much to add.

[silkhighway]

I've read quite a bit about the Finnish model, but it's been awhile so I can't really speak to specifics but North America would be stupid not to take some lessons from their success.

- The Finnish model is not entirely cultural. The education system greatly improved since reforms in the 90's when their education system was sub-par.
- There is no national curriculum in Finland and a lot fewer levels of bureaucracy than in the States, this is where most of cost savings happen.
- Teachers are professionals on par with doctors, lawyers, etc. To become a teacher it's very competitive and involves getting a research-based Masters degree.
- There's no emphasis on standardized testing. Despite this, Finnish students excel on the international tests.