Learning from Finland: Best Practices for Teaching and Learning
(Spring 2020)
This 8 week, self-paced, online Moodle course is intended for those who are interested in studying how teachers can impact their instructional effectiveness.
Course description: This 2-credit course is designed to develop participants’ knowledge of the Finnish model of education. We will study the teaching philosophy and practices of Nordic educators that result in students performing as world leaders on national assessment measures in core areas of reading, mathematics, and science.
Event Number: 20550003
EDU 455/C&I 555
Instructors: Daisy Carlsmith/Ann Ellsworth
Dates: This is a self-paced course. As such, course participants must be comfortable working independently and self-motivated to complete all work within the flexible time frame. Participants may register for the course now. No new registrations will be accepted after April 15, 2020. Participants must complete the course by June 1, 2020.
Upon receipt of course payment by WMPLC, the instructor will enter the student into the course Moodle and send an introductory email, at which time the participant may begin the class. The instructor will then collect the UM credit paperwork and payment, which will be sent to the University of Montana on June 1, 2020, along with final grades.
Registration fee: $250
Credit: 30 OPI Renewal Units or 2 Semester Credits (semester credits are offered through the University of Montana and are an additional fee of $155. The course instructor will provide a separate registration form). The total cost savings is 40% by going through WMPLC to get university continuing education credits.
This course requires the participant to access a couple of texts through their school or public library or purchase said materials from booksellers such as Amazon. The instructor may be available to assist with locating copies, if needed.
Target audience:This course is intended for those who are interested in studying how teachers can impact their instructional effectiveness.
Learning outcomes:Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Course Textbook:
Sahlberg, P. (2015). Finnish Lessons 2.0. New York: Teachers College Press. ISBN 978-0807755853
About the course facilitator:
Ann Ellsworth has taught in elementary and secondary schools in Wisconsin and Montana, and has led reading and writing professional development workshops across Montana and the Midwest. She is the 2019 National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) "Grammar Teacher of the Year." The Association of Teachers of English Grammar (ATEG) is an arm of NCTE. She was awarded the 2016 Montana Reading Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for two national teaching awards. Presently she works with teacher candidates at Montana State University-Bozeman She has served as editor of the MONTANA STATE READING JOURNAL and is working with a publisher on a book on how to improve student writing.
Register at: https://forms.gle/Qpux2WCVXseLMo3RA
(Spring 2020)
This 8 week, self-paced, online Moodle course is intended for those who are interested in studying how teachers can impact their instructional effectiveness.
Course description: This 2-credit course is designed to develop participants’ knowledge of the Finnish model of education. We will study the teaching philosophy and practices of Nordic educators that result in students performing as world leaders on national assessment measures in core areas of reading, mathematics, and science.
Event Number: 20550003
EDU 455/C&I 555
Instructors: Daisy Carlsmith/Ann Ellsworth
Dates: This is a self-paced course. As such, course participants must be comfortable working independently and self-motivated to complete all work within the flexible time frame. Participants may register for the course now. No new registrations will be accepted after April 15, 2020. Participants must complete the course by June 1, 2020.
Upon receipt of course payment by WMPLC, the instructor will enter the student into the course Moodle and send an introductory email, at which time the participant may begin the class. The instructor will then collect the UM credit paperwork and payment, which will be sent to the University of Montana on June 1, 2020, along with final grades.
Registration fee: $250
Credit: 30 OPI Renewal Units or 2 Semester Credits (semester credits are offered through the University of Montana and are an additional fee of $155. The course instructor will provide a separate registration form). The total cost savings is 40% by going through WMPLC to get university continuing education credits.
This course requires the participant to access a couple of texts through their school or public library or purchase said materials from booksellers such as Amazon. The instructor may be available to assist with locating copies, if needed.
Target audience:This course is intended for those who are interested in studying how teachers can impact their instructional effectiveness.
Learning outcomes:Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the Finnish compulsory education system with the American Pre-K12 public school system.
- Describe Finland’s approach to teaching two national languages: Finnish and Swedish.
- Describe the history of the PISA assessment and Finland’s performance in the three core areas.
- Identify aspects of Finnish culture, including the indigenous Sami people.
- Explain the historical-political factors that have influenced contemporary Finland.
Course Textbook:
Sahlberg, P. (2015). Finnish Lessons 2.0. New York: Teachers College Press. ISBN 978-0807755853
About the course facilitator:
Ann Ellsworth has taught in elementary and secondary schools in Wisconsin and Montana, and has led reading and writing professional development workshops across Montana and the Midwest. She is the 2019 National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) "Grammar Teacher of the Year." The Association of Teachers of English Grammar (ATEG) is an arm of NCTE. She was awarded the 2016 Montana Reading Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for two national teaching awards. Presently she works with teacher candidates at Montana State University-Bozeman She has served as editor of the MONTANA STATE READING JOURNAL and is working with a publisher on a book on how to improve student writing.
Register at: https://forms.gle/Qpux2WCVXseLMo3RA
| lrng_from_finland.syllabus_spring_2020.docx |