Search Content

Preparing for the Classroom: A Comparison of Finnish and American Teacher Preparation Programs

Description

Teacher preparation programs and how they function and educate future teachers can have large-scale impacts within the classroom, yet in the United States we see these processes operating drastically differently in various states, cities, and universities. In order to understand some of the differences in teacher preparation programs and how…

Teacher preparation programs and how they function and educate future teachers can have large-scale impacts within the classroom, yet in the United States we see these processes operating drastically differently in various states, cities, and universities. In order to understand some of the differences in teacher preparation programs and how they differ from other programs, this study reviews the literature and shares the experiences of current students in teacher preparation programs both in the United States and Finland. Finland's education system has risen to international notoriety with the use and reporting of the country's strong ranking on the Programme for International Student Achievement or PISA. In 2001 during the inaugural publication of the PISA results, Finland was ranked in the top three of all three subject areas (science, reading, and mathematics literacy) amongst other nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The small Nordic nation exceeded anyone's expectations of their performance on the PISA and gained worldwide recognition for the high caliber of their students and their education system. One of the biggest components of a strong education system is the strength and caliber of its teachers. As a part of the Finnish reforms in the 1970's, policies and oversight were put in place regarding the preparation of teachers for Finnish schools. The level of preparation and the qualifications of teachers were increased as a part of these reform efforts and as such Finnish teachers are required to hold at minimum, a Master's degree. Teacher preparation programs in Finland have been consolidated into just eight universities nationwide with rigorous programs and a research emphasis. Teaching in Finland is also a highly sought after and well-regarded career path. According to the Finnish Teacher Training Schools, "[i]n 2016, over 6600 applicants competed for the 660 available slots in primary school preparation programmes" (About us, 2017). With an admission rate of only ten percent, teacher preparation programs are extremely competitive, oftentimes rivaling admission rates of medical or law schools. As the United States seeks to strengthen its education system, it is vital that we learn from the success of other nations. Making changes to the policies and processes of teacher training has been highly successful in strengthening the Finnish education system and contains insights relevant to improving the education system here in the US. Experiences, insights, and observations of the Finnish teacher training process can be impactful in evaluating ways in which the United States could seek to improve its own teacher training. Based on the available literature and experiences shared by both Finnish and American teacher preparation students and program graduates, I will compare some of the differences between the two systems and provide recommendations as to how the United States could incorporate some of the successful components of Finnish teacher training programs into its own offerings as it works to better prepare teachers for the classroom.

ContributorsEtz, Shannon Faye (Author) / LePore, Paul (Thesis director) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2018-05

Barrett Student Event Engagement: The Relationship Between Marketing Communication Channels and Attendance Achievement

Description

The Barrett, the Honors College Internships and Research Department provides information regarding internship and research position availabilities, generates greater exposure to various companies and organizations seeking student help, and offers students assistance in applying for employment. The office's current objectives are to increase student engagement and escalate student success in…

The Barrett, the Honors College Internships and Research Department provides information regarding internship and research position availabilities, generates greater exposure to various companies and organizations seeking student help, and offers students assistance in applying for employment. The office's current objectives are to increase student engagement and escalate student success in internship and research involvement. The application of marketing resources requires evaluation and improvement in order to increase attendance at the events held by the office each semester, which have consistently received disappointing turnouts. This study examines the marketing communication channels currently used in order to productively correlate these channels with event attendance.

ContributorsVillemez, Hallie Katherine (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Olsen, Doug (Committee member) / Russo, Lianne (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)

Created2013-12

Joystick Education: Online Game-Based Learning

Description

The academic environment has historically been somewhat slow to implement and adopt new technologies. However, developments in video games have created an opportunity for students to learn new skills and topics through nontraditional mediums of education. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for flexible learning…

The academic environment has historically been somewhat slow to implement and adopt new technologies. However, developments in video games have created an opportunity for students to learn new skills and topics through nontraditional mediums of education. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for flexible learning opportunities. Joystick Education is our approach to addressing this need. Through online, game-based tutoring and a database of video games with high educational value, Joystick Education creates a learning environment that is effective, fun, and engaging for students. We analyzed popular, mainstream video games for educational content and selected nine games that teach concepts like history, biology, or physics while playing the game. Through promotion on social media, we generated buzz around our website which led to 103 unique visitors over our first month online and two customers requesting to book our tutoring service. We are confident that given more time to grow, Joystick Education can generate profit and become a successful business.

ContributorsVanlue, Aleczander Bryce (Co-author) / Bartels, Parker (Co-author) / Barrong, Tanner (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Pierce, John (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor, Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2021-05

Joystick Education: Online Game-Based Tutoring

Description

The academic environment has historically been somewhat slow to implement and adopt new technologies. However, developments in video games have created an opportunity for students to learn new skills and topics through nontraditional mediums of education. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for flexible learning…

The academic environment has historically been somewhat slow to implement and adopt new technologies. However, developments in video games have created an opportunity for students to learn new skills and topics through nontraditional mediums of education. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for flexible learning opportunities. Joystick Education is our approach to addressing this need. Through online, game-based tutoring and a database of video games with high educational value, Joystick Education creates a learning environment that is effective, fun, and engaging for students. We analyzed popular, mainstream video games for educational content and selected nine games that teach concepts like history, biology, or physics while playing the game. Through promotion on social media, we generated buzz around our website which led to 103 unique visitors over our first month online and two customers requesting to book our tutoring service. We are confident that given more time to grow, Joystick Education can generate profit and become a successful business.

ContributorsBartels, Parker Stephen (Co-author) / Barrong, Tanner (Co-author) / VanLue, Aleczander (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Pierce, John (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor, Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2021-05

Digital Education Collaborative Thesis

Description

A deep dive on digital education solutions in the current and post-COVID education industry. Specific attention was given Interactive Flat Panel Display solutions in K-12 and higher education classrooms.

ContributorsHauck, Tanner (Co-author) / Morales, Herwin (Co-author) / Phillips, Maya (Co-author) / Koroli, Eri (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Rakosi, Rock (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2021-05

Wedding Planning Industry and Launch of Maria Catherine Events

Description

The goal of this project was to discover more intricate aspects of the wedding planning industry as well as learn more about what it takes to get started in wedding planning, then apply this knowledge to the launch of my own company. I conducted research of the wedding planning industry…

The goal of this project was to discover more intricate aspects of the wedding planning industry as well as learn more about what it takes to get started in wedding planning, then apply this knowledge to the launch of my own company. I conducted research of the wedding planning industry throughout the United States then moving to Arizona and later to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. I discuss the importance of wedding planners, the skills they bring as well as the knowledge they must have to offer their clients. Then I go into the launch of my company Maria Catherine Events and what the research means for my company launch.

ContributorsBreeze, Maria C (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Donlevy, Tamara (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / School of Community Resources and Development (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2021-05

Creating a Mural for The Community

Description

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment,…

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment, I was able to secure a wall at a local venue to create a mural. I ran into my fair share of difficulties, taking a few lessons with me into future projects. The final design revolves around the university, being located right off campus, and the main pursuit of many of the residents here; graduation. I'm proud of the piece I've created and I'm happy to see the venue/community does as well.

ContributorsWilson, Andrew (Author) / Davis, Turner (Thesis director) / Pessler, Anthony (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)

Created2023-05

Wilson_Spring_2023.pdf

ContributorsWilson, Andrew (Author) / Davis, Turner (Thesis director) / Pessler, Anthony (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)

Created2023-05

Day.png

Description

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment,…

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment, I was able to secure a wall at a local venue to create a mural. I ran into my fair share of difficulties, taking a few lessons with me into future projects. The final design revolves around the university, being located right off campus, and the main pursuit of many of the residents here; graduation. I'm proud of the piece I've created and I'm happy to see the venue/community does as well.

ContributorsWilson, Andrew (Author) / Davis, Turner (Thesis director) / Pessler, Anthony (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)

Created2023-05

Devil_1_0.png

Description

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment,…

From a young age I felt disconnected, and found art to be an effective means to connect with others. Guided by this I wanted to create an artistic piece to connect with the community that I have spent so much time living in. Utilizing an emerging opportunity near my apartment, I was able to secure a wall at a local venue to create a mural. I ran into my fair share of difficulties, taking a few lessons with me into future projects. The final design revolves around the university, being located right off campus, and the main pursuit of many of the residents here; graduation. I'm proud of the piece I've created and I'm happy to see the venue/community does as well.

ContributorsWilson, Andrew (Author) / Davis, Turner (Thesis director) / Pessler, Anthony (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)

Created2023-05

Filtering by