Distance Learning Saves Small Schools
Image: YLE
Distance learning has become a matter of survival for a growing number of smaller secondary schools in Finland. Many small communities want to maintain a local secondary school, but they can no longer afford to do so alone.
A number of upper-secondary schools in eastern Finland have teamed up to share teaching resources via the Internet. For example, schools in Tohmajärvi and Kitee have joint virtual lessons for their students.
According to Kimmo Koskinen, Chief Inspector for the National Board of Education, distance learning is a valuable means of guaranteeing a broad network of secondary schools in the country. With the tools presently available, he says, distance learning can be of as high quality as that given in a regular classroom.
Koskinen adds that the state should invest more funds in training teachers to provide virtual educational services online.
YLE