Building a Science of Teaching: How objectives and reality meet in Finnish teacher education

Abstract

SUMMARY Teachers play an important part in school reform. They have practical knowledge and internalised views of good teaching and learning, which guide their work and their interaction with pupils and colleagues. The foundation for this knowledge and competence is laid in teacher education. Teachers' continuing professional development is supported by in-service training, which should be linked more closely with initial teacher education. Based on the findings of national and international evaluations, the article discusses the extent to which aims and reality meet in Finnish teacher education. The article notes that teacher research produces important information in support of teacher education. Teacher education should be anchored not only in research-based education, but also in the reality of teachers' work. More researched data are needed about the everyday reality and practical knowledge of teachers working in the field.