Becoming a Finnish Teacher

DALL-E made this picture, it imagined what the school in Hunger Games might look like.  Fictional literature rarely delves into the societal role of education systems and curricula. While reading Suzanne Collins's  The Hunger Games  series, I was drawn to how education is depicted as a tool for power and control. These popular novels, which have also been adapted into films, offer suspenseful storytelling and a thought-provoking perspective on societal structures and the exercise of power. In the world of  The Hunger Games , the state—reminiscent of a dystopian United States—is divided into twelve districts ruled by the Capitol. Life in the districts is marked by scarcity and hardship, while the Capitol thrives in excess and luxury. The Capitol tightly controls the districts, and education is one of its primary tools of oppression. The Capitol dictates the curriculum, ensuring students are taught  only  what serves the regime's interests. Crucial knowledge,...

  It was once thought that human brains develop in a straight line as people grow from children to teens and adults. It was assumed that all brain parts develop gradually at the same pace. With advanced research on brain development, we now know this view is inaccurate. Studies have shown that teen brains are unique and that different parts of the brain develop at very different speeds, meaning that teen brains work quite differently than adult brains. For teachers, it's helpful to understand these unique features of teen brains, as it helps to better understand their decision-making and behavior.   There are three main ways in which teen brains differ from adult brains. First,  teen brains are more adaptable (or "plastic") than adult brains . Human brains constantly adapt based on what we do and think. For example, it has been observed that the brain areas responsible for spatial awareness are larger in London taxi drivers than in others. If people play musical instrumen...