Development of Teacher Education in Finland 1945-2015 Cover Image

Development of Teacher Education in Finland 1945-2015
Development of Teacher Education in Finland 1945-2015

Author(s): Janne Säntti, Jari Salminen
Subject(s): Higher Education , History of Education, State/Government and Education
Published by: Hungarian Educational Research Association (HERA)
Keywords: Teacher education; educational sciences; elementary school teacher; comprehensive school; theory and practice

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines how Finnish teacher education has altered from The Second World War to the present. Our approach is historical and chronological, although our analysis is based on sociological descriptions. We have concentrated on the turning points of primary school teacher education in relation to societal and education policy changes. In our analysis, we probe how teachers’ duties and images have been presented in teacher education documents in different times. We argue that the ideal teacher has changed dramatically. Teacher education, in turn, is in situation, which is challenging and even contradictory. It has to follow current education policy and at the same time to convince the academic world that it is academically strong and autonomous not forgetting the educational needs of prospective teachers.

  • Issue Year: 5/2015
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 1-14
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English