Cultural Connections Project 1: Global Collaborative Project (Video Synopsis)
Cultural Connections Project 2: Scripted Duologue (GoAnimate)
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Cultural Collections Project 1: Finnish Themes (Google Maps)
- NCSU Map 1, Wolves
- NCSU Map 2, Summer on Campus
- Helsinki Map 1, Design Economy
- Helsinki Map 2, Arts
- Helsinki Map 3, Public Markets and Market Halls
- Helsinki Map 4, Food and Drink
- Helsinki Map 5, Helsinki at Play
- Helsinki Map 6, Helsinki in Motion
Cultural Collections Project 2: Tour Guide (History Pin)
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Cultural Collections Project 3: Finnish History (MyHistro)
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Cultural Collections Project 4: Curated Collection of Objects (Voicethread)
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Cultural Reflections Project 1: Where I'm From Poem (Prezi)
Cultural Reflections Project 2: The Last Word on Finnish Lessons 2.0
What I have found the most interesting about the Finnish education system is that there is not really any equivalent to any of the jobs I have held in my teaching career. At the elementary level there are not specialized music, art or theatre teachers that teach only those subjects. There may be some at the upper levels but I still don’t think they are like American arts teachers. More surprising (and a little disappointing) is that there is no “me” in Finnish schools. Instructional Technology Facilitators are not even on the radar. Now, I realize that ITFs are not in all American schools either but I found it interesting that there was really nothing even similar to my position in Finland.
From just the view of an educator, it is wonderful to see a place where teachers are respected and seen as leaders. In the U.S. teachers have seen a backlash from citizens and even the media sometimes paints teachers as people who are just out for their own selfish needs and do not care about the children. While there may be a case or two of that type of teacher the majority of us are in the profession because we love it and it is very depressing to have our motives constantly questioned. We spend at least 4 years in school to learn how to be teachers but then are not trusted with what we do. Very frustrating.
As we try to improve our education system, Americans will have a hard time learning that it takes YEARS to change. We are a society of instant gratification and when something doesn’t work immediately we want to toss it aside and find the next latest/greatest thing to try. As an entire country, we are really too big to try to do something nationwide. If we had the autonomy to begin change on a volunteer state by state basis, with guidance from Finland and other successful countries, I think that once the states started showing improved education systems the change would begin to catch on in all 50 states.
I am curious to learn more about how the fine arts are taught in Finland.
I would like to learn more about the depth and nature of parent support.
I would like to learn more about how technology is used in Finnish schools.
I am curious if schools have extra-curricular activities such as clubs or performing groups.
Cultural Reflections Project 3: Travel Writing (Blog)
Post to group "Travel Blog" and repost here...
Post to group "Travel Blog" and repost here...
Cultural Reflections Project 4: Finnish Book Club (GoodReads)
Repost GoodReads review here...
Repost GoodReads review here...
Cultural Reflections Project 5: Bio Poem on Self and Famous Finn (Fotobabble)
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Cultural Reflections Project 6: Immersive Narratives (Bubbli)
NC State (2-scene):
NC State (2-scene):
Helsinki (4-scene):
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Cultural Reflections Project 7: Acrostic Poem on Place (Pixlr)
Cultural Reflections Project 8: Impressions of Finland (Meme Generator)