Review of Tech Class #4

Week four of tech class has proven to be valuable in terms of the information I am learning about my Genius Hour topic. I'm beginning to complete my research and compile my own data. I feel that having the teachers candidates complete this assignment is important because it provides us with an opportunity to fully understand the process of Genius Hour, as well as the impact that enabling a student to discover their passions has on the quality of education they ultimately receive.


I am learning so much about various online tools. I especially enjoy the online tool Popplet to capture and organize ideas on both the computer and tablet. I also like how this tool incorporates media literacy in the classroom in a fun and interactive way.

Mayra. Popplet Encouraging Active Learning [Online Image]

Located at: http://bit.ly/2dS6Wul

With all of the information regarding technological innovation in the classroom that we are learning, I am starting to see myself as a successful teacher in a digital age. It is important to look at the benefits that media literacy offers our students and how it can prepare them for future success. I see myself as a teacher who will understand how to incorporate and balance the use of technology in the classroom to best suit the needs of my students and engage them in a meaningful way.

Genius Hour Progression

As I continue my educational journey into my Genius Hour topic, I am realizing that education is something that is important throughout the world. Every country has it's own education system that varies greatly while some are better than others.

#1 South Korea 

wcm1111. South Korean Flag 003. January. 27, 2006 [Online Image]

Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/2eVIWvc 

On the Social Progression Index (SPI) for 2015 South Korea is ranked as #1. What makes South Korea stand out is the fact that they have school 7 days a week and each subject is tought thoroughly for greater understanding. Also the South Korean government invests 11 billion dollars into their education system. 

#2 Japan  

Nicolas Raymond. Japanese Grunge Flag.  April 9, 2012 [Online Image]

Sourced from: http://bit.ly/2dtXbGW

A combination of strong work ethic and technology has played a major role in making the Japanese education system so great. No other country uses technology in the classroom like Japan does. Students have access to resources to answer some of the toughest questions that other students cannot. Japan also has a strong focus on extracurricular activities meaning that they are more expected than optional.  

#3 Singapore

Russell. Flag of Singapore. October 6, 2009 [Online Image]

Sourced from: http://bit.ly/2eBiZwH

Singapore has one of the best primary education systems in the world. The reason why it is so great is because they scrapped the traditional model of teaching (ie. repetition and rote memorization) and rebuilt their primary education system to allow more room for Problem Based learning and Conceptual Learning. 

#4 Hong Kong

AwesomeWiki. Flag of Hong Kong. January 10, 2009 [Online Image]

Sourced from: http://bit.ly/2eZAdbjHong Kong

Hong Kong's educational system is modelled largely off of that of the United Kingdom. Hong Kong's system is run by the Social Welfare Department of the government. Each level of schooling works together to create an overall educational experience.

#5 Finland 

Engineer Jamal. Flag of Finland. July 19, 2011 [Online Image]

Soured from: http://bit.ly/2dtXbGW


Education in Finland has no tuition fees and provide fully subsidized meals for full-time students. Their strategy for achieving equality and excellence is based on the construction of a publicly funded comprehensive school system that does not select, track or stream students (ie. no EQAO testing) during common basic education. Finland has also focused on spreading their school network so that students have access to schools from their homes whenever possible. If it is not possible for a student (i.e., rural areas), then free transportation is provided for students to access more widely dispersed schools. I also admire how Finland focuses on inclusive special education within the classroom and how they utilize various instructional efforts to minimize low achievement.
Finland has short school days and fills the rest of the learning time up with school sponsored educational activities. They believe that a good portion of learning is done outside of the classroom. This helps to build community and foster identity in students. 

#7 Canada

Gersophile. CANADA: Flag. November 7, 2010 [Online Image]

Sourced from: http://bit.ly/2eBK97G

English and French literacy are key components of the the Canadian educational system. Canada also has the world's highest ratio of college graduates. Provinces such as Ontario are going toward child-cantred approaches of education and are working to identify and help students who are at risk of not succeeding early on, to help ensure success in the long run. Also students of different schools, backgrounds, socio-economic status all perform well. 

Resources:

Fair Reporters October 25, 2015 The Best Education Systems in the World 2015

Sourced from:http://fairreporters.net/world/the-best-education-systems-in-the-world-in-2015/

MBC Times. 20 Best Education Systems in the World. February 9, 2016 

Sourced from: http://www.mbctimes.com/english/20-best-education-systems-world