Rebecca L. Seaberg had observe Mathematics lesson in
Finland and Sweden during her sabbatical. Finland has
good educational system according to Program for International Student
Assessment (PISA). Sweden’s educational system is structured similarly to
Finland’s, yet its PISA results in mathematics have been closer to those of the
United States, which have consistently been below the OECD average. And the results
of her observation are:
a.
The
Finnish and Swedish School System
Finland and Sweden both require nine years of comprehensive
school. Grades 1–6 are called elementary grades, and
grades 7–9 are called lower secondary grades. Grades 10-12 called gymnasium
that consist of general or vocational upper-secondary
school.
b.
Classroom
Observations
- Mathematics textbook in Finland have all answer in the back of the book. While in Sweden also contain some solution in the back instead of just answer.
- Every Finnish classroom used interactive whiteboards. Some teachers didn’t use technology because there is some resistance. In the Swedish classroom only a few that used interactive whiteboard.
- v Times that spend by student and teacher in Finland are less than in U.S. according to OECD. Then the size class in Finland and Sweden is small class about fifteen until twenty-eight students.
c.
National
Priorities
The educational system in
Sweden is more accommodating to student’s needs, whereas in Finland the
priority seems to be that everyone should learn the subjects well.
d.
Student
Preparation
The standardized assessment in Finland is Matriculation
Examination (essay type of question). It is contrast with the large number of multiple-choice type of
question on U.S. college entrance exam.
e.
Teacher
Preparation
In Finland teacher must have a master’s degree and should
have capability to teach more than one subject. Teacher can teach the same
student for two to four years with the same subject.
f.
Esteem
for Teachers
In Finland, teachers are respected by society. But in
Sweden, teachers are poorly respected and are blamed for many of Swedish
society’s problems.
g.
Changes
Coming
Some
things that teachers can do are to strive to be worthy of respect by being
experts in the mathematics we teach and in best teaching practices.