Unesco statistics of tertiary education enrollment by country show that while 21.5 per cent of Maltese students successfully enrol into university each year, 70 per cent of the students in Nordic countries continuing their education after secondary school.

 

Nordic countries use techniques and tools that encourage collaboration- Nataša Pantovic

 

Comparing the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland) with other EU countries, the difference clearly stands out. Steering towards a knowledge society for them meant higher education became a must. It also appears that the Nordic educational system uses methodologies and tools that ultimately encourage and inspire learning.

An interesting study by Yann Algan and Pierre Cahuc examines teaching methods and their application in different countries. They surveyed teachers of around 30 countries, asking them the following questions about their teaching practices: a) How often do students work in groups? b) How often do students work on projects? c) How often do students participate in role play, and d) How often does the teacher include discussions?

The results of the study are extremely insightful and show that teaching methods differ tremendously across countries. As a rule, the Nordic countries use techniques and tools that encourage collaboration; students work much more in groups, do projects together, and ask teachers questions. The central relationship in the classroom is among students.

Shifting Educational Goals Times of Malta
Education should teach children how to ask appropriate questions, how to analyse a problem, stimulate a desire to learn, and flexibility to consider different points of view.
Education should teach children how to ask appropriate questions, how to analyse a problem, stimulate a desire to learn, and flexibility to consider different points of view.

One of the biggest problems of education today is that the ‘factory model’ of teaching: the top-down approach and the rewards-and-punishments ap­proach, limit students’ ability to contribute with their imagination and creativity.

[quote]In the Finnish educational model, active learning is taken seriously. Schoolchildren do not sit at their desks memorising
- Natasa Pantovic[/quote]
The system needs a shift in focus: from one that teaches children a curriculum, to the one that inspires lifelong learning. Education has to shift from conveying knowledge in a static curriculum package to enabling teachers and students to view knowledge as a dynamic entity that is constantly changing.

Both Waldorf and Montessori learning methods establish a collaborative environment without tests, with the child’s learning and creativity at the centre of the focus. They go against the grain of traditional educational methods.

To read the full Conscious Parenting book excerpt published in Times of Malta Education Section by Nataša Nuit Pantović please go to:

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120527/education/Shifting-education-goals.421503

Nordic countries’ teaching methods reaping rewards

As a person who is fascinated by language and the nuances related to our communications - Dr. Chaika's book is a must-read. Her chapters on bilingualism are particularly relevant to today's debate on bilingual education and immigration. She makes an excellent argument as to why we do need a common language to unify our country while stressing the idea that diversity is indeed not only desirable but necessary. One of my favorite aspects of her book are the exercises that she provides at the end of each chapter. As a former teacher, I can absolutely see this text being utilized in a high school classroom with lots of exciting possibilities.