Education in Sweden and Finland

After learning about education in Sweden and Finland, two things stuck in my mind more than anything else: the ideas of education going side by side with nature and getting kids to want to learn. Based on the results in these school systems, I think these two ideas are clearly fantastic. I wish I had the opportunity to grow up in a school like that. I definitely agree that spending even minimal time outdoors reduces stress levels and increases respect for nature. After growing up experiencing nature everyday, I think most people would feel way more compelled to act in every way possible to conserve it.

As far as wanting to learn goes, I know for a fact that I would much rather be watching tv (as sad as that sounds) or at recess than doing multiplication tables when I was little. Taking the emphasis off of grades, and ensuring every teacher is properly prepared to teach children is certainly the right way to go. I think every school system should seriously consider switching to a similar format.

Education in Scandinavia

I found learning about education in Sweden and Finland and last week extremely interesting. I was amazed to learn how different the education systems are from what I grew up with in the US. I am jealous of the children who get to go to preschool outdoors. It sounds like a great experience.

I found myself questioning though, what it would be like to be a more advanced student in that kind of eduation system. It seems to me that this would cause a great deal of "slacking" on the part of the brightest children. The system seems to lack the push that is somewhat essential for bright minds to thrive and grow.

I thought it was particularly interesting that Swedish students are some of the most rowdy students in the world. It is interesting that the teachers there, especially in early education, have the patience to teach with that kind of dynamic. As I consider my own school experience, I wonder what I would have turned out like had I been able to freely go about questioning my teacher's thought process. I think I would probably be a very different person and perhaps would not have developed the drive to be able to go to school at U of M.

Carl Linnaeus & Scandinavian Education

I thought the presentation on Carl Linnaeus was very interesting and detailed. In particular, I was unaware of his humanitarian and medical efforts. I thought it was interesting that in the 18th century a well educated individual on a tour of Scandinavia to see the wildlife primarily would take a great interest in the well being of the Sami people. It seemed very forward-thinking that Linnaeus made note of how the Sami were expected to conform to standards that did not fit their lifestyle nor living conditions. Additionally, the prestige of his medical practice which gained initial notoriety from treating STD's and went on to be the physician to the admiralty and the royal family was something I found particularly noteworthy.

After the class discussion and seeing the articles and videos online, I was really intrigued by the success of the Scandinavian school system because it appears to conflict on many levels with the American school system. Particularly the late start policy, which I think might be viewed as a hassle for parents in America who are eager for their children to read and write from very young ages. I did think the community responsibility associated with education, particularly in the Finnish School System video, was great. Families, and also international corporations, seem to take pride in educating children and watching them succeed. If education was a source of pride in America, students and family alike may take it more seriously.

The outdoor schools were the most unique, in my opinion. While I liked hearing about them and reading the article on the Danish schools, I doubt I would have liked that kind of education as a child and I think many Americans are far too worried about the dangers of the outdoors to support that type of education for their children. One of the primary differences that could make outdoor schools in America successful, in my opinion, would be higher education levels for teachers. Day care providers in America often lack the credentials that would make such a project successful. Though not outdoors, I think many small-scale American day cares, such as those found in private homes, also focus on developing team work and social skills through play and foster positive educational experiences for American children.

Education in Finland and Sweden

The lecture on education in Finland and Sweden is my favorite lecture so far. I was able to relate to a lot of what was being talked about and to compare my four years of school in Sweden as well. Having attended both Swedish and American schools, I can say that the Swedish schools were my favorite by far. I only attended school there until 4th grade, but when I visited last October, I attended school for a few days again, and still the Swedish schools were my favorite.

The school system, both in Finland and Sweden, is so different from ours, yet I believe is so much better. I started kindergarten as I was about to turn 7, and at that point I knew absolutely no Swedish, and obviously could not read either. The teachers were only concerned with getting me to speak, and I did not start reading at all until 1st grade. In kindergarten, we played outside a lot, spent a lot of time drawing and painting and sewing, and spent a lot of time just playing with the other kids. I think that because of this, the Swedes develop better social skills at a younger age, because a part of school there was learning how to be social. There are so many other differences, the hot lunch there was so much better, classes were fun and interesting. During my time in school, I don't remember being graded or worrying about grades once, but once we moved back to the States, I remember my sister in 2nd grade worrying about grades on book reports. The school system, at least in Sweden, is more laid back, and I think that at a young age, children are generally excited to learn and excited to go to school and are not burning out as fast as American students.

Scandinavia - Education

The lecture on education was my favorite so far. From the very beginning of a Finnish child's life, the methods the Finns use seem to be superior to those typical in the United States.

The lower emphasis on tests seems really effective, and like I said in class, if children love learning, it's easy to teach them. I think fewer tests contibute to that.

Outdoor pre-schools are a fantastic idea; I've read a few studies and have personal experience about what it's like to grow up in the woods, play outside often, etc. and it really is a great place to learn and develop skills. In the U.S, there are many strange rules and customs (behaviors, things we take for granted), like all the prescription medication children are taking, and how rain keeps us indoors. In that regard, the Finns holistic approach to pre-K education is really refreshing.

As for free higher-education, if the majority of the people in Scandinavia don't mind the taxes, I see no problem with it. It also makes for a more selective application process within the Universities.

Good lecture ^-^ Very interesting overall.

Scandinavian Education - Sam

I really enjoyed the Tarja’s lecture on education in Scandinavia. It was really interesting to see the differences between Sweden and Finland and the United States. One of the things I found really interesting was that they don’t even start school till they are six or seven years old. There isn’t that pressure to learn and read as soon as possible, which is how it is in the U.S. in most cases. And even though they have a ‘late’ start, they catch up and actually according to some international tests surpass Americans. Also, the fact that their college tuition is free amazes me. I feel like that is how it should be here. Everyone should have the same opportunity to go to a great school, whether or not you can afford to go to college shouldn’t be a problem. Another thing that the U.S. really needs to learn from Scandinavia is the benefit of being outdoors, and being active. I love how kids are basically kicked outside to play, no matter the weather. I really liked the encouragement of maternity leave and even paternity leave in Scandinavia. That is how it should be here as well, because I know of many people who feel like they have to plan out when it is most convenient in their job to have a baby and are fearful that when they go on leave they won’t have a job to go back to.

I went to a small private school outside of Chicago, and they do some things very similar to how they do it Scandinavia. Even though I started school at the age of 3, we had lots of naps and play-time. We also started studying a foreign language at 3 years of age. We were also forced to take Latin and art classes throughout elementary and middle school.

I feel like overall, the U.S. has a lot to learn from the education systems in Scandinavia. And I agree with Alex, college should be free!

Carl Linnaeus and Finnish and Swedish Education

I found the lecture on Carl Linnaeus very interesting and informative, because I didn't know very much about him other than that I could recognize his name and associate it with taxonomy. I didn't realize how much of an impact his work had, and how much recognition he gained during his lifetime. It was neat to see all of the different plants and flowers and examine Linnaeus' life through what he saw and experienced during his travels and comparing it to those same places today and how he is honored throughout Sweden.

When we compared and discussed the Finnish and Swedish school system versus education in the United States, I realized I would have preferred to have gone to school in Finland or Sweden! The emphasis on learning for the sake of learning and fostering a natural sense of curiosity was definitely not a big part of my education as a kid. There was constant grading and expectations right off the bat, and interaction with nature/the outdoors was minimal, and decreased significantly until it ended with a final P.E. class in the beginning of Freshman year (highschool). I think many students under this system might have felt the way I felt, extremely stressed about grades and "doing well" and probably not getting enough exercise at school or at home as there was only time for homework and studying. I can also say that I don't feel like I learned anything that stuck with me, it was always a process that included memorizing everything for an exam, and erasing that knowledge and repeat the process. The Finnish and Swedish students seem to have gained a more cumulative and well rounded knowledge of many aspects of life. I really enjoy the outdoors and wish it had been more incorporated into my education and I really admire the Scandinavian emphasis on learning about nature and getting the opportunity to explore it freely!

Those Finns!

I first heard about the education in Scandinavia while on a bus in China. My friend explained to me that he had taken this ScandCiv class and loved it. The conversation went on to discuss education, civic, business, etc. It was truly a survey of the course. On that day, what he told me about the education system was most intriguing. The basics, such as, no focus on reading until age 7, outdoor pre-schools. and the encouraged parental leave. Fast-forward now, 2 months, I walk into the class on education.

I was surprised with the parental leave system in place. In the US, I don't feel our jobs are as connected with the gov as they are in Scan. The fact that you receive a stipend from the gov is mind-blowing and a great way to relieve the financial burden of your leave on the business. I was confused about how long this stipend lasts and if the child receives stipends? Heard a few different things in class so clarification would be great.

Growing up in Ann Arbor, I think our education system is different then most of the country, additionally i went to a private school from k-8th grade. In that setting, we had 40 kids in a grade that were always divided into two classes. I can see similarities in this setting. We always had a long recess, classes outside and projects to complete outside. We would often walk/run in the surrounding bush and in the winter go sledding and have snow-ball fights. So it was encouraging for me to know that I was schooled in a slightly unique way compared to the rest of the US.

Don't you think college should be free in the US!? Hearing that they are in Scand just makes me laugh. By having free schooling, the incentive to go to school is soo much greater. It affords students who are financial oppressed to have a very equal opportunity for advanced education. If the US made schooling free or substantially cheaper, I believe it would change our country and potentially the world in incomprehensible ways.