A Teacher's Journal: Denmark's Brilliant Idea?

So I'm scrambling around this morning trying to pack for what promises to be one of the most interesting weeks in recent memory for me: As of 7:00 tomorrow morning, I'll be travelling to Denmark as a part of a teacher travel experience sponsored by a great organization here in North Carolina called the Center for International Understanding. I'll be spending my time in Copenhagen exploring the education system, economy and government----and sampling food from every local restaurant that I can find!

In preparation for the trip, I've studied Denmark pretty extensively. One of the most interesting features of their education system (besides free college education for everyone---intrigued yet?) is that students spend their first six years in school with the same teacher and classmates. It's the ultimate "looping" program and is designed to build a sense of community and continuity in classrooms that can be used as leverage for learning.

So what do you think? Is this something that you'd be motivated by as an educator? What barriers would you have to tackle in order to effectively work in such a setting? What barriers that exist in your current work would be removed?

If you're a parent, does this kind of continuity resonate with you? Would you be jazzed that your child had the chance to stay with the same classmates and teacher for an extended period of time, or do you value the opportunities that our schools provide for children to work with new people each year? Would remaining with one group of peers build long lasting and irreplaceable relationships---or would they limit the social growth of children in a world that is already too isolated to begin with?

If you're a student----and some of mine have grown in the habit of reading these entries!---would you enjoy being with the same teacher or students for YEARS?! How would that time make your school work easier? Would it make life less interesting? Do you enjoy getting to know tons of new people or does changing classes each year just make you work harder to "figure out the routine?"

While I won't be able to reply anytime soon----I'm planning to spend the entire week exploring---I'm interested in hearing what you have to say and will be sharing your thoughts with my travelling partners.

Adios----because I haven't learned goodbye in Danish yet.....

Posted by William Ferriter at 10:40 AM on June 15, 2007 | Leave Feedback

What Do You Think?

Have an opinion about this article? Let us know, using the form below.

Your Feedback: