Friday 18 November 2011
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Problems in the EU- some facts?
With all the news of the problems in the EU and the euro it is hard to ignore the fact that we are all in the middle of quite a big crisis that could have far reaching political effects for us all. At the moment the situation within the EU is creating alot of trouble and mistrust between members. The PIGS of Europe are, well most of them, trying to their best to make the situation better but with big changes needed it has hard for the people of the EU to understand whats going on.To try and begin to learn about the current issues I suppose we need to think about the basics of the countries that are in the news at the moment. The three that come to my mind are Italy, German and Greece. These three countries have caught the attention and minds of the EU media and now it is time to do a little research into what makes them work and how the basics of their government function- or dont in some cases!
For this class the fantastic students were split into three groups and given about 20 mintues to research, using the amazing powers of the internet, about the parliments and governments that make up these three countries. The students then came back to the class were we shared the findings together by talking about what they had researched . The result being a blackboard (more green in Finland...) full of facts and thoughts about these 3 elements that make up the EU. I like this method as the students themselves find the information and have to tell me what they found..sssh...dont tell them, but, they have to say it outloud to me...in English! So I like that..plus they come up with somethings that my middle aged mind just wouldnt think off!
As always thanks to the students for using their brains!
Thursday 20 October 2011
What if?
As part of today’s class, Thursday 20th of October, we watched part of a BBC horizon documentary about nuclear power and how the disaster in Fukushima, Japan has affected people living there.
I learned some new things and I hope the students did also. The documentary seemed to be quite fair and gave a clear picture of what happened in Fukushima. This sort of information is becoming more and more relevant since the announcement of the construction of nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki, some 20odd km north of Kalajoki.
We will be taking a break for a week now with the school having their autumn holidays. When we come back I hope to watch the rest of this documentary and then maybe do some research in nuclear power and try to understand how it can be a benefit and a hindrance for society. Big things to think about!
I learned some new things and I hope the students did also. The documentary seemed to be quite fair and gave a clear picture of what happened in Fukushima. This sort of information is becoming more and more relevant since the announcement of the construction of nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki, some 20odd km north of Kalajoki.
We will be taking a break for a week now with the school having their autumn holidays. When we come back I hope to watch the rest of this documentary and then maybe do some research in nuclear power and try to understand how it can be a benefit and a hindrance for society. Big things to think about!
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Oulu Student fair
Oulu student fair!
Last week, 12th and 13th of October, the Kalajoki Upper Secondary higshcool team paid a small visit to the Oulu student fair. We usually go there every year to let students know about this fantastic school and what opportunities we provide. As part of our presentation we also had a prize of a new Android mobile phone that students could win...once they completed, or at least tried to complete a little puzzle!
It was an interesting few days and we met alot of interest students and who knows...maybe some will be coming to Kalajoki next year!
Last week, 12th and 13th of October, the Kalajoki Upper Secondary higshcool team paid a small visit to the Oulu student fair. We usually go there every year to let students know about this fantastic school and what opportunities we provide. As part of our presentation we also had a prize of a new Android mobile phone that students could win...once they completed, or at least tried to complete a little puzzle!
Thursday 6 October 2011
Nuclear power- who knew?
Monday 10th of October 2011
In the Finnish news there was an announcement made which will be of great importance to not only Kalajoki but all of Finland. It was announced that in the town of Pyhäjoki, some 20 odd kilometres away, there will be build a lovely new nuclear power plant. This news is huge for the area and for my students (and myself I suppose). The shiney new nuclear plant will take about 10 years to build, more if the French get a go at it, and cost about 5 or 6 Billion bucks. A lot of cash indeed in a rural part of Finland.
During our class today we discuess about the topic of nuclear power. The class was divided into 3 groups- One group was of the opinion that nuclear power was good, one thought it was bad and the final group had to present alternative energy methods. Each group had to make a 5 minute presentation, in English, on their topic after which the other two groups asked some questions. The idea is try to give the students a forum to talk and discuss this important issue to make them realise all the points of view involved in this huge decision.
Oh and the other big news from last week was the upcoming screening of the reality TV show made about Hiekkasärkät, local tourism centre....should be equally big news!
In the Finnish news there was an announcement made which will be of great importance to not only Kalajoki but all of Finland. It was announced that in the town of Pyhäjoki, some 20 odd kilometres away, there will be build a lovely new nuclear power plant. This news is huge for the area and for my students (and myself I suppose). The shiney new nuclear plant will take about 10 years to build, more if the French get a go at it, and cost about 5 or 6 Billion bucks. A lot of cash indeed in a rural part of Finland.
During our class today we discuess about the topic of nuclear power. The class was divided into 3 groups- One group was of the opinion that nuclear power was good, one thought it was bad and the final group had to present alternative energy methods. Each group had to make a 5 minute presentation, in English, on their topic after which the other two groups asked some questions. The idea is try to give the students a forum to talk and discuss this important issue to make them realise all the points of view involved in this huge decision.
Oh and the other big news from last week was the upcoming screening of the reality TV show made about Hiekkasärkät, local tourism centre....should be equally big news!
Students discussing about the nuclear power plant decision
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