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Reading Journal By Miss Jindapa Tiengtae Id number: 6031006034 This journal is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for English Reading and Writing 1 course of Liberal Arts in English Program, Mae Fah Luang University First semester 2018

Why Does Finland Have One of the World’s Best Education System? Joanna Hughes Master Studies 21 September 2018 Always a top finisher on rankings of the world’s best higher education systems, Finland was recently declared to be “a miracle of education” by the World Bank. On Universitas 21’s assessment of the world’s top universities, meanwhile, Finland claimed top spot when levels of GDP per capita were taken into account -- scoring well above expectations given its income level. A recent Business Insider article featured four ways Finland’s innovative education system excels, including the following points. 1. It eschews standardized testing. > While students in the US regularly take standardized tests to track their performance, Finnish students take just one during their entire time in primary and secondary school. Called the National Matriculation Exam, this teacher-graded test measures yields much more than a score. It measures general academic maturity and is viewed as “a sign of being a mature, educated person in Finnish society,” according to Valerie Strauss for The Washington Post. Finnish Lessons author Pasi Sahlberg says of the test, “Students are regularly asked to show their ability to cope with issues related to evolution, losing a job, dieting, political issues, violence, war, ethics in sports, junk food, sex, drugs, and popular music. Such issues span across subject areas and often require multidisciplinary knowledge and skills.\" 2. It prioritizes play. > While students in the US may have hours of homework a night, Finnish students spend just a fraction of this time on homework. Instead, the focus is placed on free time and play with students given frequent breaks during classroom instruction. Considering research indicating the detrimental impacts of a “deficit of play,” this is lauded as a benefit for Finnish students’ physical and mental health. 3. It is free for many students > Finland remains one of the only countries to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs 100 percent free of fees for its own citizens and students from European Union and EEA countries. Yes, you read that right: international students from eligible countries accepted into any degree program in Finland do not pay a dime in tuition. 4. It reveres its teachers > While teachers are often undervalued in countries like the US, the opposite is true in Finland. Not only is the profession extremely selective, but teachers in Finland are treated better, work fewer hours, and get paid more than in many other countries.

Another area where Finland shines is on the international higher education scene. Its emphasis is on project-based learning based on “positive emotional experiences, collaborative working and creative activity,” according to The Guardian. A Work in Progress But just because Finland is highly regarded all over the world does not mean it is content to kick back and coast. In fact, the country is committed to ongoing development aimed at staying ahead of the curve. One university leading the charge is the University of Helsinki. The university’s Professor of Educational Psychology Kirsti Lonka, says, “The greatest threat to the future school is clinging to our past achievements. If we compare the workplace of the 1980s with the workplace today, we see a very different picture. Digitalization is undoubtedly among the great reformers in work, and the reforms should also be made in the school world.” In other words, in a changing world, teaching must be equally dynamic. “As a result, future learning will take place in multidisciplinary projects that center on complex phenomena and develop learners’ problem-solving and thinking skills. New technologies will also be integrated into teaching, and learning environments will be increasingly modified to promote learning,” adds Lonka. Given its appeal, it is hardly a surprise that Finland is a top international destination in the area of teacher education. But Finland’s stellar reputation in education is not to say it is not open to what the rest of the world has to offer. Quite the opposite, in fact. “Learning takes place everywhere. When people meet in person, they value the encounter and concentrate on co-creating knowledge rather than simply sharing it. The University is an oasis of learning in which people enjoy coming together, either virtually or in person,” Lonka insists. The takeaway, when it comes to the role Finland will continue to play in education, according to Lonka? “We should not export the school system we used to have, because we are among the leading countries in creating new innovations in education. Instead, we should – as we do – develop new export products in collaboration with universities, universities of applied sciences and companies.” https://www.masterstudies.com/article/why-does-finland-have-one-of-the-worlds-best-education-systems/

Week: 5 Title: Why Does Finland Have One of the World’s Best Education System? Author: Joanna Hughes Source: https://www.masterstudies.com/article/why-does-finland-have-one-of- the-worlds-best-education-systems/ Summary Finland always be on the top rank of the world’s best higher education system, and was lately announced to be “a miracle of education” by the World Bank. Finland’s modernization education system including with four ways. Firstly, it avoids standardize testing. Finnish students take just one time in their primary and secondary school, called “the National Matriculation Exam”. It measures students’ general academic maturity. Students are regularly asked to show their abilities. Secondly, it prioritizes play. Students use just a part of time on their homework, the focus is placed on free time and play recreation with students given frequent breaks under classroom instruction. This is useful for students’ physical and mental health. Thirdly, it’s free for many students. Finland is the only country that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs 100 percent free of tuition for their citizens and students from European Union and EEA countries. Lastly, it reverses its teachers. Teachers in Finland are treated better, work fewer hours, and get wage more than other countries. As Finland is higher esteemed worldwide, it still ongoing progression, one university leading the charge is the University of Helsinki. The University’s Professor said, “The greatest threat to the future school is clinging to our past accomplishments, and the development should be made in the school world. Moreover, future learning is going to take place in multidisciplinary projects in order to develop learners’ problem-solving and thinking skills.” My reaction/ reflection For me, this article is not easy, but not too hard. While I read for scanning the story content I have a problem with some vocabularies. I don’t know its meaning such as eschew and prioritize, and they are in the major detail so it becomes obstacle to my reading and thinking. This article consists of great content which present facts and knowledges about Finland education system to readers. I think all of the four ways Finland’s innovative education system is very well because reaching on the rank of the world’s best higher education systems is not easy, but Finland accomplished. I know it’ hard, but I think it’s a very good idea for other countries to apply these education systems in their own education standard which suitable for students in their countries. As we know that education is the basic foundation and significant for people’ life, for it’s like a bright light that guide our life onward. These are the reasons why education is one of the most important things.

New Words New Words Learned Definitions 1.eschew [v.] to deliberately avoid or keep away from something -It eschews standardized testing. 2.multidisciplinary involving several different subjects of study - Such issues span across subject areas and often require [adj.] multidisciplinary knowledge and skills.\" 3.prioritize [v.] to put tasks, problems, etc. in order of importance, so that you can deal with the most important first - It prioritizes play. 4.detrimental harmful - Considering research indicating the detrimental impacts [adj.] of a “deficit of play,” this is lauded as a benefit for Finnish students’ physical and mental health. 5.eligible [adj.] having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions - Yes, you read that right: international students from eligible countries accepted into any degree program in Finland do not pay a dime in tuition. 6.deficit [n.] the amount by which something is too small or smaller than something else - Considering research indicating the detrimental impacts of a “deficit of play,” this is lauded as a benefit for Finnish students’ physical and mental health. 7.reform [n.] change that is made to a social system, an organization, etc. in order to improve or correct it - Digitalization is undoubtedly among the great reformers in work, and the reforms should also be made in the school world. 8.appeal [n.] a formal request to a court or to somebody in authority for a judgement or a decision to be changed - Given its appeal, it is hardly a surprise that Finland is a top international destination in the area of teacher education.

Rubric for Independent Reading Journal (10%) Articles 1234 5 Total scores _______ ÷ 5 = _____ marks1. Summary (4 %)2. Reflection (3%)3. Vocabulary Learned (3%) ScoresCriteria for the above categories1. Rubric for Article SummaryCategory 5-4 3 2 1-0Summarizing Provides a very Provides a clear Provides a clear but Provides athe content thorough and and concise shallow summary somewhat muddled, summary of the of the article; may unclear and clear and concise article context be excessively brief rambling summary summary of the and content. or may include of the article. article context some extraneous Student recalls information. Student cannot locate and content. details for most details with accuracy. main point. Student is not able toIdentifying Student recalls Is characterized byDetails several details for Is characterized locate most of the the substantial each main point. by paraphrasing details of the main copying of of the main idea indiscriminatelyParaphrasing Is characterized and significant point. selected phrases or by paraphrasing details sentences. Is characterized by Serious errors in of the main idea There are some the substantial mechanics, usage, and significant errors in usage, copying of key grammar, or grammar, phrases and spelling that make details punctuation, minimal the summary sentence paraphrasing difficult toSpelling & There are few or fragments, or understand.Grammar no errors in spelling. There are serious errors in usage, usage, grammar, grammar, punctuation, punctuation, sentence sentence fragments, fragments, or or spelling. spelling.Total ________/20 ÷ 5 = 4 %2. Reflection on the Articles (3%)Students who have completely and clearly responded to the guided questions stated in the readingjournal form will get 3 marks.3. Vocabulary Learned (3%)All correct = 3 marks ≥ 70% correct = 2 marks 1 ≤ 70% = 1 mark