Visiting Experts Presenting Teachers’ Workshop on Finnish Education Success

Educators at all levels will have the opportunity to learn about the principles behind the renowned Finnish education system and how they’re implemented in practice at an upcoming workshop hosted by the School of Education.

Promoting Learning the Finnish Way will be held on Monday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. Featured presenters/trainers include Learning Scoop’s Johanna Järvinen-Taubert, pedagogical director and partner, and Kaisa Tuomarla, pedagogical specialist and classroom teacher.

Learning Scoop is a Finnish company comprised of experienced experts and teacher trainers that works in teacher education, leadership development and community building. Learning Scoop specializes in education development and in-service training programs for teachers and principals in Finland and abroad.

Workshop attendees will be introduced to the Finnish education system; learn about the new national core curriculum and practices in Finnish basic education; and will hear about ideas for developing teaching and learning “the Finnish way.”

“In Finland, there is a very strong culture of supporting education at all levels. They have different early education there and it involves the parents; formal learning doesn’t begin until age seven; and they have far less summative standardized testing. They have assessment, but they deal with it in the classroom with the children so that the children understand,” explains Duquesne Education Dean Dr. Cindy Walker, who coordinated the workshop after visiting Finland in 2017. “This workshop will offer practical tools and ideas that teachers can apply to their own work for success.”

Workshop participants can earn ACT 48 credits. Cost is $45 and includes a light breakfast, lunch and parking. To RSVP and register visit www.duq.edu/finland2018.