Recent research seems to suggest that a major reason for the outstanding performance of the Finnish school system in international rankings has been rigid teaching styles and strict hierarchies. After changing to learner-centered approaches around 2007 the Finnish school system dramatically dropped down in international rankings.

I wonder how the myriads of people who year for year pilgered to Finland in order to learn more about this educational "wonder" could draw such wrong conclusions.

webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.p…

Does good evidence make good education policy?

Lars Jakobsen and David Crosier on the Eurydice website just published a new Focus on article discussing how data and evidence-based policies are shaping our education systems nowadays. While developing tests and monitoring systems, are we forgetting that not everything that counts can be measured?

In recent decades there has been a strong move towards evidence-based policy making in the public sector. Few education policy-makers today would dare to introduce a reform that is not backed up by data and research evidence. But what is the nature of evidence being used, and can we rely on it to make better policy? ...

www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/…

Fresh from Twitter: In a constantly changing job market, we need lifelong learning, says University Alliance's @Maddalaine

www.novinite.com/articles/173897/Bulgaria+to+Work+…

soundcloud.com/nearfm/europe-on-air-programme-4-th…

Ciaran Murray (Project Coordinator, NEAR Media Coop), Siobhan O’Connell (Principal, St. Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle) and Niamh Farren (Communications Officer, Aontas, The Irish National Adult Learning Organisation) talk about the Secondary School System in Ireland.

A great learning opportunity for those who want to know more about the Irish education system, and the challenges it is facing.