Comments on: Finland: What’s the Secret to Its Success? http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/ America\'s Schools in the 21st Century Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:09:23 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Terry Smith http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/comment-page-1/#comment-142 Terry Smith Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:09:23 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/?p=206#comment-142 Hi- I am a public school teacher. The education system in Finland is superior, and I think it works so well largely because of the high importance your society places on learning, and also because Finland does not the many widespread problems we have in the United States. It is interesting that Finland does not waste so much time testing testing testing its students - they concentrate on quality learning time. Hi- I am a public school teacher. The education system in Finland is superior, and I think it works so well largely because of the high importance your society places on learning, and also because Finland does not the many widespread problems we have in the United States. It is interesting that Finland does not waste so much time testing testing testing its students – they concentrate on quality learning time.

]]> By: Anna Lahtinen http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/comment-page-1/#comment-138 Anna Lahtinen Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:04:23 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/?p=206#comment-138 I am finishing my 12th year of education in Finland. I have to agree that the Finnish education system is very effective. It also offers the same possibilities to everyone. Our teachers are, indeed, highly educated and they always push us to do even better with our school work. I am finishing my 12th year of education in Finland. I have to agree that the Finnish education system is very effective. It also offers the same possibilities to everyone. Our teachers are, indeed, highly educated and they always push us to do even better with our school work.

]]> By: Elisa Halonen http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/comment-page-1/#comment-137 Elisa Halonen Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:03:24 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/?p=206#comment-137 I'm a 16-year-old student from Finland. I think Finnish children and young people learn better, because the teaching isn't forced and it's enjoyable. The teachers don't put too much pressure on us and they help us to understand new things thoroughly. At school, all students feel equal and appreciated. I’m a 16-year-old student from Finland. I think Finnish children and young people learn better, because the teaching isn’t forced and it’s enjoyable. The teachers don’t put too much pressure on us and they help us to understand new things thoroughly. At school, all students feel equal and appreciated.

]]> By: Tiina Mustakangas http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Tiina Mustakangas Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:05:56 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/?p=206#comment-63 An American Fulbright teacher from a high school in Ohio spent a year in our small Finnish high school in Haukipudas in 2006-2007. It was a great opportunity to compare our school systems, and here are few of the main points we figured were very distinct between our two different school systems: - overall respect for teacher's profession - teachers' well being programs at school - daily schedules and breaks - students' responsibility of their studying - testing systems - school lunches - communication in the classroom I feel there are several reasons for Finland's PISA success, and it's not only based on our educational system. A lot of it has to do, for instance, with the structure of our language, our daily reading habits, and our national character. I feel there's a lot we can learn from each other. While US may learn a lot from, let's say, our school lunch system, we can learn a lot from your teacher-student classroom communication. An American Fulbright teacher from a high school in Ohio spent a year in our small Finnish high school in Haukipudas in 2006-2007. It was a great opportunity to compare our school systems, and here are few of the main points we figured were very distinct between our two different school systems:
- overall respect for teacher’s profession
- teachers’ well being programs at school
- daily schedules and breaks
- students’ responsibility of their studying
- testing systems
- school lunches
- communication in the classroom

I feel there are several reasons for Finland’s PISA success, and it’s not only based on our educational system. A lot of it has to do, for instance, with the structure of our language, our daily reading habits, and our national character.

I feel there’s a lot we can learn from each other. While US may learn a lot from, let’s say, our school lunch system, we can learn a lot from your teacher-student classroom communication.

]]> By: Mikkiko http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/globalization/finland-whats-the-secret-to-its-success/206/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Mikkiko Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:09:01 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/?p=206#comment-22 I lived in Finland for 3 months, staying with a family. I have to say the young children and young teens I met were very enthusiastic about exploring new ideas and learning independently. When asked how they liked school, they said they loved it. I can't say I have met the same American children with the same enthusiasm. The level of respect the Finns give their teachers is also much higher than any level I have seen in the states. I only see that respect and awe when an American kid meets his/her favorite musician or athlete. Perhaps that is why our schools fail. I lived in Finland for 3 months, staying with a family. I have to say the young children and young teens I met were very enthusiastic about exploring new ideas and learning independently. When asked how they liked school, they said they loved it. I can’t say I have met the same American children with the same enthusiasm. The level of respect the Finns give their teachers is also much higher than any level I have seen in the states. I only see that respect and awe when an American kid meets his/her favorite musician or athlete. Perhaps that is why our schools fail.

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