Teaching Notes

Interesting to see that Finland is moving to a pedagogy based on "topics" more than "subjects," perhaps in part to maintain their reputed educational lead over the rest of mankind. I think it's easy to see the "topic" thing and think, "well, that's neat," but what might be lost in the mix is a much more important word: change.

Good to see Finland's government and teaching establishment acting nimbly, and in response to the right stimuli. It's not about testing and the state-level Bureau of Statistics, or profit margins for textbook companies, or the latest demand from teachers' unions. It seems to me that the major impetus for change in Finland's school system is really one coin with two sides.

1. As a society, reflected through its government (the Nordic countries themselves are not perfect at this, but we'll say pretty good…), the Finns are expressing an interest in adapting to changed circumstances in the global economy, and still wanting to be world beaters.
2. Like parents in so many other countries, Finnish parents want the best for their kids. But perhaps unlike in other countries, they have a good and responsive venue in which to express their wishes.

Note #1: keep track of student wants and needs.

Note #2: adapt accordingly, and creatively.

Note #3: keep adapting.

------------

Another note set, from a book I've been reading: How to Write A Lot, by Paul J. Silvia.

Note #1: read this book. It will seriously change your life as a writer.

Note #2: some great teaching techniques in here, as well, about getting students beyond content, beyond even forms, to even more fundamental structures of learning. Yay schedules.

Note #3: Pilot some of these techniques in my own life and among a few peers, before I inflict them on my students.

------------

Last note set, from reflections on a variety of inputs from different cultures.

Note #1: The psych and anthro people say that people broadly all learn in similar ways.

Note #2: My older forays into inquiry-based learning didn't turn out too bad. Contrary to the first note set, don't just change for change's sake. Make sure to keep what works.

Note #3: Question: what does learning mean for cultures at varying levels of literacy / pictography? Can I oralize and kiesthetize my learning outcome assessments? How so?  And are oralize and kinesthetize even real words?