Building capacity in Finland
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Digital education requires capacity, both human and technological.
Learners: learning objectives
In Finland, it is important to ensure that every individual can function productively in an increasingly digital world. Finland's Framework for Digital Competence, published by the Finnish National Agency for Education and the National Audiovisual Institute in 2022, outlines benchmarks for students at every level of K12 education. These areas of digital competence and ICT require that learners demonstrate creativity and responsibility in their use of digital skills. Learners are given freedom of choice, which allows them to explore the digital landscape within the framework.
Teachers: work & support
Similarly, teachers need to improve their own digital competencies in order to set the groundwork for learners' success. Thorough subject area and pedagogical training as well ongoing in-service professional development are preparation for continued learning. Additionally, teachers engage in community-based exchange of ideas online, sharing their own work with others. Finnish EdTech is used, not only to provide teachers with opportunities to grow their community, but also to curate best-practices instructional solutions. Teachers are encouraged to continuously experiment, innovate and develop new pedagogical approaches, as well as share their experiences in peer-networks.
Pedagogical solutions
Teachers engage in community-based exchange of ideas online, sharing their own work with others. Finnish EdTech is used, not only to provide teachers with opportunities to grow their community, but also to curate best-practices instructional solutions.
Digital infrastructure
It is not only a question of human capacity: In digital education the infrastructure for digital solution use (for example, internet connectivity and digital devices) has to be in place as well. The allocation of materials, such as devices, can vary: Some schools in Finland provide students with loaned iPads or laptops, but in others, students share equipment. Protection of users’ data is also a very important piece of the digital infrastructure.
Digital Education Ecosystem
The digital education ecosystem needs all of the above to grow. Still, there are other components that can help it thrive:
Learner-led events, co-creation with school programs, quality certifications for digital education innovations, hackathons, regional collaboration events, awards, study programs, academia, public business advisories, marketplaces, education export programs, funding for innovative teacher professional development, professional associations for peer-learning, and hubs or meeting places.
Capacity building in your country?
To ensure the sustainability of education innovations, it is essential to invest in the capacity building of educators and pedagogical leaders. This may involve in-and pre-service training programs, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to enable them to effectively implement and sustain the innovations. Reflect on these questions:
What is your current investment in capacity building?
How many years of training do your teachers have?
What are some ways you can supplement teacher knowledge?
Do schools or networks of teachers encourage career-long learning and professional development?
Below there are some resources related to Finnish education. Are you familiar with them?
What is your current investment in capacity building?
How many years of training do your teachers have?
What are some ways you can supplement teacher knowledge?
Do schools or networks of teachers encourage career-long learning and professional development?
Below there are some resources related to Finnish education. Are you familiar with them?
