Transcript
Study visit. Silkeborg. Denmark. 26th-30th September 2011
Quality & cohesion in teaching Science:
collaboration across general education levels.
Silkeborg42.000 people municipality
High living standard
Merchandising area,not industrial
5,5 million inhabitants
128.4 inhab/km², very flat, all areas suitable for living Highest tax rates in Europe
One of the 5 most expensive countries in the world
Highest rate of similar incomes in families
The least differences in gender
They produce and use green technology
Bike paths everywhere.%55 people cycles everyday
Denmark
Danish Education System
Most of schools are public, supported by tax funds. There are also some few granted private schools. Education is compulsory but escolaritation is not.
There is a year of pre-school. Kindergardens have fee. Some people take care of 3 or 4 children, home.
Primary and lower secundary school are under Municipality government. Ministry of Education established curriculums. It takes 9 years long.
There is a tenth one, which is not compulsory and it is not free.
Upper secondary level centres are state supported self-governing intitutions. It takes 3 years long. Then, students attend to universities or vocational training. They
have the highest rate of people starting and finishing the grade they choose (%85)
Voel folkskole
240 children18 members of staff,
not all full-time
Self government
Schools get funds in a taximeter system, an amount per child.
That makes little schools to get closed.
They manage everything: contracts, loans, leisure activities after school…
Children have school from 8:00 to 13:00
They have their home-made lunch and if they want, they can remain at school for leisure activities from 14:00 to 16:00 or so.
Parents pay these educators’ fee.
They coordinate with teachers.
Up to now, it has not been an inclusive school.
Children with disorders or special needs are in other classes.
They are thinking in changing that.
In this school every morning they have a musical activity all together first, and then, each one go to their class.
Teachers mostly have maths or danish lessons.
They have a well equipped class-room for Science.
This school has increased his figures because parents want more and more giving children chances and experiences with Nature and encouraging their creativity.
Farming at school
They grow up chicken and goats.
Families take the charge of animals at holidays and they enjoy it.
They killed the animals when they are big enough. Children can attend the killing and also help if they want.
Science week in DenmarkThey do outdoor activities all over Denmark
This year in Voel, children have built a dam in the river to see its consequences, and later they have built a wooden bridge.
Visits to Aqua Centre
They have some nearby ecosystems models to be searched
Older students teach to youngers
Experiences
Visits to Secondary Centres
Silkeborg Gymnasium
Upper Secondary Centre
1350 students, 150 members of staff
Nice learning enviroment
Students have the duty of enterteining the rest of the school comunity every fornight, so once a year each group shows a sketch in the hall.
There is a concern with Nature and Science.
They search on PISA results
What can be done to encourage Science learning?
Young people, specially girls, do not love been scientists
They want to show Science is fun
Some conclusions of the visit
Children must have chances to have contact with Nature
Schools must be well equipped
Lower grade teachers must be trained in Science skills
There must be a collaboration among stages.
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