TEACHING HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES

IN FINLAND

By

DONNIE ISAACS

Donnie Isaacs

Donnie Isaacs

Aims in History- To create an individual, national and

European identity- To appreciate human rights and democracy- The key concepts of history include time,

change, continuity and causality

Donnie Isaacs

Aims in Social Studies

- To give skills to evaluate critically documents, statistics and pictures

- Training will provide students with capabilities for active and critical examination of current phenomena

- To teach how to be an active citizen

Donnie Isaacs

Primary School (age 7 – 12)

- History begins in 5th class; pupils are 11-12 years old

- From the prehistory to the French Revolution

- All subjects are tought by class teacher - Once or twice a week; lesson lasts 45

min- Studying is free of charge; pencils,

rubbers,notebooks are given to students, textbooks are reused

- Methods: activities,drawings,films,stories…

Donnie Isaacs

History in Secondary School (age 13-16)

- From the French Revolution to modern times- Specialized history teachers- 2 courses a year (1 course = 30 hours / lessons

75 min)- argumentation and discussions are common

teaching methods- Copies from maps, internet,- learning how to write essays- To understand which is reason, which is result

Donnie Isaacs

Social studies in Secondary School

- Last year (= 9th class) in compalsoryschool

- 3 courses a year- ”How the modern Finnish society works?”- The responsibilities & rights of citizens; taxation, student

allowance…- Finances and economics; expensies of family, how to

found the company?- Law and order; a visit to district court…- Social security; child benefit…- Media; familiarize to local printing office, influence of

advertising…

Donnie Isaacs

History Courses in Upper Secondary School (age 16 -19)

Thematic courses; 1 course = 30 hours (the total number is 75 courses)

4 compulsary courses Man, the environment and culture (=economical history) European man (=cultural history) International relations (=political history 1815 – 2011) Turning-points in Finnish history (= 1809 – 2011)

2 – x voluntary specialisation courses Finnish history before 1809 Meeting of cultures: Non-European Cultures Extras e.g. ancient history, world politics, training for the

finals etc.

Donnie Isaacs

Social Studies Courses in Upper Secondary School (age 16 – 19)

2 compulsary courses Political science Economics

2 – x voluntary specialisation courses Law European Union Extras e.g. entrepreneurship, training for the

finals, etc.

Donnie Isaacs

The Final Exams

Final exams in history and social studies are voluntary but popular

The popularity of social studies is rising in the final exams

In each subject’s exam 10 questions to choose from: write 6 essays, 6 hours time

Donnie Isaacs

Teacher’s Perspective

You have to advertise your courses and Motivate the students About 30 % of my courses are voluntary for the

students: if you teach more courses, you’ll get higher pay

You have lots of freedom to choose your methods: films, debates, cartoons, news portfolios etc.

If you are active you can make projects and organize visits outside school

Sometimes competition between the subjects and between the teachers

Donnie Isaacs

Students’ opinions (18 year olds)

”History and social studies give you general knowledge”

”You need to know some basic things from the past to understand the present”

”Finnish and international history are equally important”

”There should be more compulsary courses in social studies because they are so useful”

”The most interesting subjects at school!”

Donnie Isaacs

Thank you for your attention!

Donnie Isaacs