Job shadowing Estonia

2024-1-ES01-KA121-SCH-0000197930

What we learnt 

We think that our educational system should learn many things from the Estonian one.

In classrooms, students with different aptitudes and abilities are not separated into different levels. However, there are special classes  to support students with special educational needs.

The first thing we learnt from the Estonian educational system is the autonomy of schools and teachers. Both schools and teachers have the freedom and autonomy to choose how they want to teach. Educational institutions can shape and modify curricula, relying on the capabilities of the school’s principal. Teachers have the freedom to choose their teaching methods, they consider appropriate and even implement innovative practices in the classroom, aiming to foster critical thinking and meaningful learning. The Management team can employ teachers, manage the budget, organise and evaluate teacher training needs. 

Estonia has introduced a more flexible curriculum that better meet the interests and learning needs of

individual student. In secondary school students are provided with more flexibility in choosing learning pathways. The Estonian curriculum is designed to develop a range of knowledge , skills and personal attributes required for future learning, life and work.

It is a personalized, integrated and ongoing learning. It models features of a world- class learning.

The Estonian curriculum gives importance to skills in problem solving, democratic decision making, critical thinking, communicating, sourcing, researching  and using information, creating and innovating and taking responsibility for one’s own learning. 

The Estonian curriculum is designed to develop skills and personal attributes such as social and emotional maturity, self-regulation capacity, physical fitness, digital competence, and teach students to be able to face a rapidly changing world.

We have to point out that in Estonia students start at the age of 7, although  kindergarten starts from 4 and the majority of children use it . Families also can use state daycare schools from 18 months , paying according to family income. This is very important to understand teenagers’ behavior in secondary or upper secondary classes.

One of the things which caught our attention is that children go to school alone from the age of 7 years old. Every day, in the morning or when classes finish, children coming back home alone without their parents can be seen. They talk to each other and walk, ride a bicycle or scooter. Parents are nowhere. Because of this, most children have a mobile phone from a very young age. 

Children learn to cross the street alone, to move without supervision from one place to another and to be  on time. They learn to be more autonomous. They improve their responsibility and they learn to get everywhere on time. They can walk in the park but they have to be at school on time.

So when these children become teenagers and this is what we observed in our school they are very independent and autonomous, teachers do not have to be behind them to do their tasks all the time. They know what they have to do and if they don’t do it, they know their consequences.

Viimsi Upper Secondary School in which we job shadowed was 8 years old but it was as clean as the first day. You could not see any paint, the students ' desks were clean. The school was also quiet. We should take into account that students in their break time stay inside because it is very cold inside. And there is no much noice, they play table games, read in the library, go to the canteen, but there is no much noise.

Another important point is to highlight for us is that in Estonia, there is an Educational Agreement which started in 2018  until 1935, that is, the educational system does not change and works independently of the political party that is in the government. Our educational system should be depoliticize in that way..

Estonian students also have a University Entrance Exam or National Exam. They do it at the end of higher education. The students in Estonia have to pass an exam in Estonian, Maths and English or another foreign language ( in the case of English if they have B2 by Cambridge exams , they do not have to do English in the National Exam) but this National Exam is only 20% of their mark. 80% is research work developed through the entire year last year.  Some schools include a maturity exam, as it happens at Viimsi Upper Secondary School and we will explain later what it is about. 

Then the universities decide the type of tests or interviews they will do.

Viimsi Upper Secondary School’s approach is to support students’ development. Therefore, leadership and learning activities are based on the students’ needs and the prior skills and knowledge. Viimsi school has created its own student’s profile focusing on five skills ( 21 st century skills) : critical thinking and problem solving, communication, self-direction, collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship. The competences described in the national curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes of courses and extra- curricular activities are developed by pursuing the skills mentioned before.

The school values are presence, collaboration, openness mutual respect and ongoing development. They value creative, meaningful and thought - out undertakings .

The school is aimed at influencing learning and students’ well-being, inspiring teachers, having an active student council, flexible study organization, mentoring of both students and teachers, different ways of learning, school traditions, mutual values, collaboration and cooperation with other schools.

The school relevant subject, skill or competence are the following:

• 63 compulsory subjects

• 17-19 school courses

• 9 module courses

• 5-7 elective courses

18 courses are set by the school: mathematics, Estonian, B2 and B1 foreign language courses, research work / practical assignment course and Self-Directed Learner course, which focuses on learning strategies, collaboration skills and public speaking.

9 module courses that Viimsi students can choose themselves.

Clubs organized by the school in different topics.

The System of Modules

Every tear, in addition to compulsory subjects, students choose a module that interests them. A module is made up of three courses of the same field. Every year, students can choose to continue with a module of a similar field , or pick up an entirely different one. Students have to pass 3 modules during their studies, adding up to 9 courses in total. Once a module is chosen,  students have to pass its three courses.

It is interesting to see the list of courses un order to understand how students are prepared for their future studies or life.

G1 Nature and Environment (Practical Nature, Nature Technology and Society Climate Changes)

 Economics ( Introduction to Economics, Economic Environment, Basics for Enterprising) 

Sciences ( Mathematics-Extra and Basics, Practical Physics, Logic)

Literature and Language ( Cultural Blast, Myth and Literature, Creative Writing)

Human Movement and Sports ( Sportsman's Self- care and Contact Sports, Sports Management and Endurance Sports, Anatomy of Person Strength Training)

Century Media ( Introduction to Media, The Art of Media and Advertising, The Possibilities and Threats of Social Media)

G2 Human Being And Help ( Anatomy and Physiology, Healthcare, Principals of Chemical Processes)

Entrepreneurship ( Creating Student Company, Student Company Management, Entrepreneurship and Environment) 

Engineering ( Introduction to Engineering, Modelling, Robotics) 

Room and Design ( Technical Drawing, Design Processes, Architecture as the Living Environment) 

Recreation ( Introduction to Recreation and Organisation, Recreational Activities, Marketing Communication and Event Planning I, II)

Film ( Literature and Film, Creating a Short Film, Film Analysis ) 

G3  Life Sciences ( The Chemistry of Life, The Physics of Life, Applied Biology) 

Legislation and Political Science (Everyday Law, Crime and Justice, Political Ideologies)

Engineering ( Introduction to Engineering, Modelling, Practical Robotics)

Culture and Society ( Creating Music, Contemporary Art, Creating Practicum) 

Human Being in Society ( The Globalizing World, Social Entrepreneurship, Practical Psychology) 

Teacher Leadership ( Leading the Development, Innovation in Education, Creating the Learning Environment and Practice) 

Elective Courses

During their studies, students have to pass at least 6 elective courses. Viimsu school  offers a wide spectrum of electives that students can freely choose from. It is also possible to consider a study or activity that is external to the school curriculum as part of the school curriculum (e.g. School of Exact Sciences of Tartu University), university courses, music and art schools, sports and participation in student board activities.

Apart from languages and extracurricular activities, most of the electives are taught during the second and the third study period. The third study period elective is taught during the elective week, during which there are no other lessons apart from the electives.

Electives 

Foreign Languages and Culture (  Spanish, Finnish, French, German, Swedish and Practical Asian Food and Tea Culture) 

Music, Media Drama and Arts ( Vocal Ansamble, School choir,  School Band,  School Media "Hüpernool", Theatre Troupe "Eksperiment",  Debate Club, Creative Project,  Practical Negotiation Skills, Practicum in Literature, Core Texts in Literature, Creative Writing, Folk Dance) 

It, Technology and Sciences (  Programming for Beginners, Introduction to Videography, Creating a Short Movie, Basics of Photography, Digital Serious Game Development, Mathematical Economics, Financial Literacy)

Nature , Lifestyle and Safety ( Practical Chemistry,  Nature Survival Course, Yoga, First Aid, National Defense, Training Camp, Self Leadership Course, Mastering the Ball Sports and Overall Physical Training)

Finally, the Viimsi High School  had a maturity exam, which consisted of attending lectures by speakers from outside on various topics of interest to the students, writing an analysis of what they have learnt during three years at the institute, job shadowing of a family member or another person in their workplace, and finally, before leaving the institute, they take an oral exam in which they explain how they have developed one or another skill. For the head of study, knowledge is important, but so is having 21st century skills.

Organisation

The school year is divided into three study periods.

Courses last for 21 hours for 10-11 weeks.

At the end of every study period, there is a concluding week for prelims, study trips, some lessons etc.

Schedule 

School is open for students from 7:00-20:00

Lessons are 70 minutes