Finland's education system has earned global acclaim for its innovative practices and nurturing a love for learning. As 'Train the Trainers' and a Centre of Excellence for designing and delivering business management courses, SQMC draws valuable insights from Finland's approach to education. In this article, which is written primarily for fellow trainers looking for inspiration, we'll explore how adopting Finnish principles can help us create exceptional training experiences for learners. I'll reveal my top 8 Finnish-inspired best practices that we incorporate into SQMC courses, and I hope these will be of help as you seek to continually improve your own course design and delivery.
In my experience of training and personal development, I often find that when students first come to us they are held back by a number of issues affecting their approach to learning. I train new trainers to be able to identify and navigate around these problems, helping students to get the most out of their time in the classroom. But it's evident to me that most of the problems date back to the student’s school days.
It's clear to me that the UK education system has been on the wrong track for many years. Too many students are left behind and leave school without qualifications, and it's primarily because of the way they were taught, and the conditions in which they were taught.
In contrast, while Finland’s education system may seem unorthodox, it achieves remarkable results. It's regularly lauded as the best education system in the world, and I've studied it with great interest for many years. So let's consider eight aspects of their children's schooling that can be translated into adult training and education, neutralising your trainees' negative adolescent classroom experiences, whilst elevating your training provision to the next level:
Just as Finland's education system values inclusivity, embrace diversity in your training courses. Create a welcoming space where everyone feels respected and encouraged to participate. By acknowledging learners' unique backgrounds and experiences, you're giving them an environment that boosts engagement and maximises success.
When we overlooking this, we may experience a number of negative consequences. For example, disregarding these values may lead to disengaged learners who feel marginalised and become passive participants, reducing their engagement and interaction during training. As a result, they're less likely to effectively absorb information and miss out on the full benefits of the training. Furthermore, failing to recognise learners' diverse backgrounds results in missed opportunities for alternative, interesting perspectives; and this can impede the ability to challenge assumptions, promote creativity, and generate innovative problem-solving solutions. Ignoring the diversity of students may result in a monotonous learning experience that limits critical thinking. As a training facilitator, if you have any students in your classroom feeling excluded or disrespected, you're failing in your role! Fast identification and remedial action is necessary to reduce their undue stress and anxiety before it impairs their ability to concentrate and learn effectively. Unfavourable environments will undoubtedly dampen enthusiasm for the subject, affecting the overall success of your training programme.
On the flip side, if you're intentional about facilitating equality and inclusion in your training courses, it will provide a number of significant advantages. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how engagement levels skyrocket in a positive and welcoming environment, where all learners feel valued and respected, irrespective of their professional, personal, or cultural background. Comfort encourages discussion and idea-sharing, and enriches their learning. It will also lead to a more profound learning experience thanks to the different perspectives and experiences enriching discussions, and giving learners a broader understanding of the subject matter. The inclusive environment has a positive impact on learner performance and success by increasing their motivation to excel in the course, improving their comprehension, and increasing your course completion rates. This all aids your trainees to apply their new skills more successfully in real-world settings. Job done!
Employing play-based learning in business management training can have a significant impact on learner engagement and skill development. Play-based learning entails interactive and hands-on activities that imitate real-world circumstances, enabling learners to actively participate and practically apply theoretical information. Finland's educational system exemplifies the effectiveness of play-based learning.
In business management training, for example, rather than depending exclusively on lectures and presentations, trainers might incorporate interactive activities such as business simulations, role-playing exercises, and team-based challenges. Learners can act as managers in a variety of business settings, making key decisions and experiencing the implications of their decisions in a safe environment.
Professional development courses offered by large organisations such as Google provide a real-world example of the effectiveness of play-based learning. Google takes a one-of-a-kind approach to training, including gamification and play-based components to improve learning. Google, for example, encourages employees to organise and lead training sessions for their coworkers, integrating interactive games and activities to make the learning experience entertaining and engaging. At Google, this method has been proved to generate a culture of continual learning and innovation.
According to a report by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), gamified learning techniques, such as those used in play-based learning, have been found to improve learner motivation and learning outcomes. The report states that 74% of teachers who used educational video games reported increased student engagement and 68% observed improved academic achievement. The positive impact of play-based learning on learners' motivation and performance highlights its potential as a powerful training tool in various educational and professional settings.
(Source: Entertainment Software Association (ESA) - "2020 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry.")
Like Finland, prioritise quality over overwhelming volumes of content. Focus on delivering impactful information that learners can retain and apply. Striking the right balance between theory and practical application equips them with a deeper understanding of concepts and their relevance in the business world.
In the training industry, the term "saturation point" refers to the point at which a student becomes overwhelmed with information or tasks, resulting in a reduced ability to process and retain new information effectively. It is the moment at which a learner's cognitive resources, such as attention, memory, and processing abilities, are depleted, making it difficult for them to receive and comprehend new information.
Cognitive overload can occur when students are exposed to too much new material or challenging tasks without enough time to integrate and consolidate their understanding. This overload can make it difficult for them to understand the material and incorporate it into their previous knowledge base. As a result, learning may become less effective, and knowledge retention and application may suffer.
When creating instructional materials and delivering content, educators and trainers must keep the saturation point in mind. They should strive to provide enough material to interest and challenge learners without overwhelming them. Educators can enhance learning outcomes and provide a more efficient and enjoyable learning environment by successfully controlling cognitive load.
Breaking down difficult knowledge into smaller, digestible chunks, employing a variety of teaching approaches to reinforce learning, and allowing appropriate time for learners to practise and process the content are all strategies for addressing the saturation point. Using these approaches, educators can help their students get a better comprehension and retain more information.
Moreover, a study published in the "Journal of Educational Psychology" (Paas et al., 2003) looked at the influence of split-attention, which requires students to process information from many sources at the same time. The study concluded that integrating information and eliminating split-attention improved learning efficiency.
Inspire your learners to be lifelong learners, just as Finland instills a love for learning from an early age. Offer continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities in your training courses. By promoting curiosity and keeping learners updated, you build adaptability and innovation in the ever-evolving business landscape.
In Finland, teachers' expertise is highly valued, and they are given autonomy in the classroom. As trainers, bring your industry knowledge and experience to the forefront. Adapt your teaching methods to cater to learners' needs, encouraging engagement and enhancing their learning experience.
Let's consider how this might play out for a facilitator of a subject we can all easily relate to: language.
In our hypothetical language class, the tutor is given the authority to change the training curriculum on the fly based on the progress and needs of individual students. The class is made up of adult students varying in skill level from beginner to advanced. The tutor uses their autonomy to provide each student with a more tailored and successful learning experience.
Initial Assessment: At the start of the training programme, the tutor administers personalised examinations to determine each learner's level of language proficiency, learning style, and specific goals. This examination assists the tutor in understanding each student's individual needs and abilities.
Tailored Learning Plans: Using the evaluation results, the tutor creates learning plans for each student. Learners are divided into groups depending on their skill levels, but within these groups, the tutor adjusts the pace and content to meet the needs of each person.
Differentiated Instruction: The tutor uses differentiated facilitation throughout class sessions. Advanced students may be assigned more difficult activities or participate in advanced conversations, whereas beginners concentrate on fundamental language abilities. The tutor provides supplemental materials, such as reading texts or films, that correspond to the interests and preferences of each learner.
Real-time Feedback and Support: As the training programme advances, the tutor gives each learner with real-time feedback and help. They identify areas for growth and strengths, then provide specific instruction and encouragement to assist students overcome obstacles and gain confidence.
Flexible Lesson Planning: The tutor has the authority to change lesson plans on the fly based on the dynamics of the class and individual development. If the tutor observes that a specific grammar idea is difficult for the majority of students, they may devote more time and resources to reinforcing the issue until everyone understands it.
So as you can see from our practical example, here, by granting the tutor autonomy to adjust the training program on the fly, this language training class became a dynamic and adaptive learning experience. Each student benefits from a customised approach that enhances their language skills, confidence, and overall engagement in the learning process. How might this apply to your own particular subject delivery?
Collaboration lies at the heart of Finland's education model. Implement group projects and interactive workshops in your business management training to encourage teamwork and interpersonal skills. Embrace diverse perspectives and encourage creative problem-solving among your learners, essential traits for successful managers.
Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of collaborative learning in educational settings. A meta-analysis published in the journal "Review of Educational Research" (Johnson et al., 2014) examined 122 studies on collaborative learning across different grade levels. The analysis found that collaborative learning significantly improved student outcomes, including critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and academic achievement.
Integrating group projects and interactive workshops into training courses gives students significant opportunities to practice important teamwork skills. Here are some practical ideas for how you might cultivate a collaborative learning environment:
Team-Based Projects: Divide learners into varied groups and assign them to work on business scenarios or case studies. This allows them to share their knowledge and experiences, promoting problem-solving through group brainstorming.
Role-Playing Activities: Role-playing activities can be used to replicate workplace circumstances. Learners can take on numerous managerial responsibilities, building empathy and knowledge of other points of view in decision-making processes.
Group Discussions: Hold group conversations on complicated business challenges so that students can share their perspectives and debate potential solutions. Promote courteous disagreement because it improves critical thinking and sparks new ideas.
Peer Feedback and Evaluation: Motivate learners to provide constructive feedback to their teammates during group projects through peer feedback and evaluation. Training improves interpersonal skills by teaching students how to speak effectively and collaborate collaboratively.
Real-World Case Studies: Provide learners with real-world business examples that necessitate collaborative problem-solving. This enables individuals to apply academic principles to real-world circumstances, enhancing their capacity to collaborate as part of a team.
Learners gain the collaboration and interpersonal skills needed to become effective and successful managers in their future employment by embracing collaborative learning and supporting varied perspectives in business management training. Scientific research emphasises the importance of teamwork, diversity, and creative problem-solving, giving these methods credibility in training programmes.
Like Finland, recognise the link between learners' well-being and their academic success. Cultivate a supportive and positive learning environment. By emphasising work-life balance and offering resources for stress management, you enable learners to excel both professionally and personally.
Continuous assessment and feedback are fundamental to Finland's educational approach. You can adopt this practice in your own training by offering regular assessments and personalised feedback to help learners track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor their learning journey more effectively.
A side benefit enjoyed by learners attending SQMC's intermediate-level Internal Quality Auditor course is that we untilise continuous assessment exercises to relieve the stress of preparing for a single, high-stakes exam. When students have several opportunities to exhibit their knowledge and skills, they are less likely to experience anxiety. This further develops a healthy learning environment and a positive attitude towards their learning.
SQMC we are greatly impressed with examples offered by Finland's education system, which is why we employ Finnish methods, along with research from Harvard University, to create our unique learning environment.
Make the Finnish education model your guiding blueprint for the courses you're developing, and/or delivering. By incorporating these principles into your training, you'll create more transformative learning experiences that learners won't forget.