Lecture 16: Education/Finland

Question 1

Why are the 2012 results of the PISA standardized tests not necessarily representative?

Answer 1

Because China’s results aren’t representative of the whole country.
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Question 2

How old are the kids who take the PISA exam? How old are the kids who take the TIMMS exam?

Answer 2

PISA: 15-16
TIMMS: 2nd and 5th graders

Question 3

What are the 8 current trends for improving education in the US? What are they influenced by?

Answer 3

1. More standards
2. more homework
3. more emphasis on math and science
4. more classes for the gifted
5. longer days and year
6. uniforms
7. Merit pay for teachers
8. pay students

Influenced by the asian models

Question 4

What different kind of classroom goal structures are there? explain them briefly
Which is most effective? Least?

Answer 4

1. Competition: people attain goals only if others do not
2. Cooperative: people attain their goals only when others do also
3. Individualism: people attain their goals without affecting the goal attainment of others

Most effective: Cooperative
Least effective: Competition
Middle: Individualism

Question 5

When does cooperative work work best?

Answer 5

when there are no grades attached to group work

Question 6

What is Hikikomori?

Answer 6

A disorder unique to Japan, A type of burnout, social withdrawl

Question 7

According to the Johnson and Johnson review of studies on cooperation vs. competition, what 6 things is cooperation associated with?

Answer 7

1. Greater intrinsic motivation
2. Greater mastery of principals and concepts
3. Greater development of communication skills
4. Better attitudes toward teachers and schools
5. Better attitudes toward classmates, including opposite sex and minorities
6. Higher self esteem and mental health

Question 8

What can teachers do to help children maintain their intrinsic motivation?

Answer 8

1. Encourage cooperation
2. Contextualize and Personalize learning (make it personally meaningful not abstract)
3. Support Autonomy

Question 9

Give an example of how to personalize material?

Answer 9

Change “The” to “Your”

Your leads to increased intrinsic motivation and better learning

Question 10

What three things are correlated with an autonomy supportive teacher?

Answer 10

1. Intrinsic Motivation
2. Cognitive Competence
3. General Self-Worth

Question 11

How old are Finish kids when they start school?

Answer 11

7

Question 12

What is Finland’s literacy rate?

Answer 12

98%