Finnish STEM teacher education pulls its ranks together in a new discussion forum which aims to strengthen collaboration between universities’ teacher training units and to promote the development of STEM teacher education. A recent special issue of the LUMAT journal gives insights into current trends of STEM teacher education in Finland and casts a look into future targets.
Teacher educators shape the future. They have a key role in training and educating motivated teachers who will put their skills and knowledge to use in schools. Although teaching as a profession is still valued highly in Finland, it is important to make sure we will have enough enthusiastic STEM teacher students and skilled teachers also in the future.
Strengthening STEM teacher education and teachers’ continued professional development is one of the goals of LUMA Centre Finland.
Finnish STEM teacher education is based on research, which is an important tool for developing new teaching innovations. Significant advantages could also be achieved through meaningful collaboration between different departments at universities and teachers training schools.
In 2014 these aspirations took a step forward when a national forum for STEM teacher educators was established. The initiative – set up to improve and invigorate STEM teacher education – includes STEM teacher educators from universities and institutes around Finland, and extends connections to policy makers as well.
Emphasis was first put into creating connections and increasing co-operation between teacher educators and education researchers. Their aim is to meet biannually to discuss timely issues on education and research, and to find ways to drive STEM teacher education forward.
For example the directions and demands of the ongoing curriculum reform in basic education are taken into account in planning and developing STEM teacher education. These include a stronger emphasis on inquiry-based learning, the use of technology, integration of subjects and the use to non-formal learning environments, to mention a few.
Innovations and news from STEM teacher education forum were gathered to a special issue of the LUMAT (Research and Practice in Math, Science and Technology Education) journal, which highlights the enthusiasm and creativity of Finnish STEM teacher educators.
Published on October 29th 2015, the issue provides a thorough overview of the current trends in STEM teacher training in Finland and some interesting outlooks into future pedagogical innovations.
It includes 13 general articles, three research articles and two perspective article.
The editors of the journal hope to encourage wider discussion about STEM teacher education and to advance its progress in Finland.
