Distance Education during the Covid-19 Crisis – Finland
Distance Education during the Covid-19 Crisis – Finland
Description of the Good Practice
Finnish National Agency for Education initiated a study in March 2020 to examine distance education in Finland during the COVID-19 crisis. The study – based on reports from education providers and represent the experiences of 20.000 teachers, guardians, learners, and principals – summarized Finnish studies and reports related to distance education, aiming to facilitate future education reforms. It also included publications from research projects, surveys by trade unions and student organizations, and reports from various authorities to support education development.
Measures taken in Finnish education due to the Coronavirus epidemic included transitioning to distance education with exceptions for critical sectors and special support from March to May 2020. Contact teaching resumed in early childhood education, basic education, and other levels from 14th May, with continued recommendations for distance education, and with the option to introduce exceptional teaching arrangements if necessary, subject to safety assessments.
From the pandemic onwards, distance education in Finland has been generally quite successful, due to the high professional skills of teachers and the national investments in education and digitalization. Learners with more contact and real-time teaching had a more positive experience. Most basic education pupils had access to digital devices. Basic education mainly relied on multinational ICT companies’ hardware and software. Most pupils were reached by teachers. Around 61% of teachers provided real-time teaching; distance learning had positive effects on digital competence, but required clearer instructions and support. General upper secondary students generally adapted very well. VET had successful distance learning, although it faced some challenges in fields requiring specific learning environments.
Keywords
- Blended Learning
- E-learning
- Teaching Music Composition
Language(s)
English, Finnish
Number of participants
Large groups
Type of training
Online
Number and type of exercises
Multiple questions questionnaire/ survey, interviews
Duration
Around 6 months
Target Audience
Teachers, educators, school principals, parents, university professors and students in the areas of interest, IT Learning and Education developers.
Competences/skills that you will require
Pedagogical/teaching competence, IT skills
Media
Consideration as a GP
Post-pandemic success in distance education in Finland has largely depended on the increased opportunities for interaction and real-time teaching, with the aim of enhancing the sense of community among learners. The Finnish National Agency for Education has provided instructions, recommendations, and government transfers to support schools and teachers, and precise information on needed support and training is now available for them, shaping new educational offerings and support materials.