One of the first things we had to reflect on was the different modes of study. The classes we have at Frøbel are usually quite small if you compare them with the big universities in f.ex. Spain or Greece, where it is common to have over 100 students in a class/ lecture. The students in those educations don't therefore have the same opportunity for being as active in the classroom as we are used to here in Frøbel. I'm sure there are several universities and educations in Denmark where the same kind of consept is being used (I mean one teacher giving a lecture to a lot of students that are listening quietly) but as I've learned during my years living here, interaction between the teachers and the students is being held high in terms of getting the best out of learning. It is a common thing to voice your opinion, discuss everything (!) and even questionize your teacher. This kind of teaching or mode of study does not come as a surprise to the danish students as the method is already being used in the danish primary schools. But it was a huge shock for me to realize I need to participate in the lessons and voice my opinion in front of the whole class almost on daily basis. It was difficult for me because I am kind of a perfectionist, I always question myself and on top of all I am really shy, but mainly because I was used to the finnish way of teaching; the teacher talking and the students listening. I don't know if things have changed in that area since I left Finland after finishing high school. At least the two finnish girls, Kiira and Riikka, mentioned that they are used to being active in their classes back in Finland. The other major difference is the amount of groupwork the danes do. Of course I've done it many times back home as well but not on daily basis like here in Dk.
Luckily I am used to the danish way now :) Not that I enjoy saying things in class but I think it is a wonderful way of learning and remembering a lot more than I otherwise would. Unfortunately I am still too shy to say many things I have in my mind, so way too often it's my poor boyfriend who has to listen to my opinions and frustrations when I get home from school ;)
There are many institutions in Denmark that use the pedagogical theory "learning by doing". It is based on the thought that children learn best when they are involved in things. That's why I started wondering if all this interactive learning in the danish education system has roots already in nurseries and kindergartens?
P.s. I've also learned that I no longer think in finnish but (almost) all my thoughts are in danish. It was a weird thing to realize and I only noticed it when Riikka asked me the question and because I find it hard to find the words in finnish when I talk with her and Kiira. Not good! Maybe I should make an exchange to Finland ;)
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