Review by Choice Review
In this book, Timothy Walker, a former U.S. elementary school educator, offers 33 Finnish educational strategies that could have a positive impact on classroom learning. Walker insists that "America and the rest of the world could learn from the small Nordic country" because, despite short school days and sparing amounts of assigned homework, Finnish students' scores are among the highest in the world on the Program for International Student Assessment test, which evaluates 15-year-old students' abilities in math, science, and reading. Walker argues for using Finnish educational methods by prudently grouping the 33 proposed strategies into five thematic categories: well-being, belonging, autonomy, mastery, and mind-set. He cogently defends the practicality and justifies the applicability of each strategy by artfully interweaving his personal teaching experiences with timely research studies. This well-written, insightful book is highly recommended because it compels educators to think differently about pedagogy and student learning. In essence, Walker is advocating for a holistic approach to education. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, faculty, and professionals. --Moddie Vernard Breland, Mercy College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Finland is known for its high-achieving schools and happy teachers. Walker, who almost burned out during his first year teaching in Boston, was intrigued enough to apply for a school job and see things firsthand when he and his Finnish wife relocated to her homeland. The differences between the American and Finnish education systems are striking, including frequent breaks, more cooperation than competition, and less emphasis on technology. Though admitting that it's unlikely that U.S. schools will ever completely adopt Finland's program, Walker was nevertheless able to identify 33 strategies that could be easily introduced into American educational systems. The suggestions are grouped into five categories: well-being, belonging, autonomy, mastery, and mind-set. Strategies run from getting students outdoors, pursuing a class dream, and offering more choices to bringing in music, including students in the planning, and tapping experts. Although not every idea is new, all are geared toward the relaxed, flexible, welcoming atmosphere that works so well for both teachers and students in Finland. Teachers and parents will be intrigued.--Smith, Candace Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Walker, an American teacher working in Finland, outlines his personal experiences facing the philosophical and pedagogical differences between American and Finnish schools. These differences are often touted as evidence for American failures; however, the firsthand experience needed to implement change is not always available. Walker's text fills that gap by engaging in the conversation of differences and similarities in a practical way. Walker breaks down strategies he observes in Finnish schools into five major categories: well-being, belonging, autonomy, mastery, and mind-set. Within each category, he further develops the topic by looking at specific aspects such as learning on the move and pursuing a class dream. The overall tone is conversational, allowing the reader to join Walker on his journey of discovery. It is also very refreshing that Walker openly talks about his disagreements, revealing how he's come to his own application of certain techniques. He provides an engaging and eye-opening vision that does not pit America against Finland, but lets us see what we can learn from each other. VERDICT For teachers and education advocates who would like to understand one instructor's reflective quest toward educational improvement. [See Prepub Alert, 8/8/16.]-Rachel Wadham, Brigham Young Univ. Libs., Provo, UT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
