Q. Tell us about yourself?

 

I am born in Denmark, educated with a university degree in political science. From 1980 – 2008 I have been teaching at the International People’s College (www.ipc.dk) - an international folk high school in Denmark, close to Copenhagen, the capital. 

 

 

In general folk high schools in Denmark are boarding schools for adults (above 18). They take a course for about 5 months. The courses are different from school to school. In all schools, there would be creative subjects (music, choir, creative writing, painting), intellectual classes (philosophy, social sciences, literature), and practical subjects (ceramics, weaving, gardening). The philosophy is that there should be a unity between the heart (creative classes), the mind (academic classes) and the hand (manual activities and classes).

 

There is a certain specialization taking place among the folk high schools – we have folk high schools concentrating on film; others on drama; others on sports; and IPC on international affairs. At IPC we have beside the creative and practical subjects, classes like European studies; Asian studies; international affairs; conflict resolution; management studies. 

 

 

At IPC people will be more knowledgeable about the world and international affairs; they would be speaking English in all classes and outside classes, which is attractive to students who would like to be better at English. Personal skills would be that the participatory approach to teaching would adapt students to be confident and assertive in public speaking.

 

 

Let me first say that the distinction between formal education and alternative methods in education needs not to be so distinctive – certain forms of methods can also be used in formal education if the teacher wants it. But the difference between traditional formal education and alternative education is that alternative education minimizes the uses of exams and competition. The central element is to build on the students’ curiosity and interest. The teachers play a big role in actively inspiring and motivating, and by showing an interest in the students’ life and thoughts 

 

 

It would be a learning environment where students are encouraged to be active learners & being motivated by the teachers. Learning does not take place if the teachers just speak all the time in one-way communication. The teacher should create an active environment for learning where students seek the learning – students in f.i. biology could go out and investigate the nature around and present their findings for the rest of the class. Or students in social science classes should go out and interview important people in the community. Active learning instead of passive learning.

 

 

Alternative education tries to motivate students in other ways than exams and competitions, namely by making students interested and motivated to learn – and teachers being supportive for the students, not pressing them to compete. Parents could also play a big role by encouraging students to learn and be interested rather than press them for higher marks.

 

 

Job availability has something to do with applicants who can get ideas and be innovative. Alternative education produces students who are more active, independent and confident. Also, they have learned to cooperate and work in teams.

 

Q. In our society’s education system simply states that if you invest your energy and resources into higher and higher education, you will then be rewarded with better jobs, more money, a higher standard of living and ever more opportunities. But that covenant has already been broken. For more than a little while now, we’ve seen people with university degrees applying for class IV (Peon) Job. 

 

The more education you have the better chances for a job, but if there is high unemployment it is right that high education does not secure a suitable job. Then, society has to be mobilized and create more jobs with investments and projects. Education in itself does not produce jobs – it is done by the state and private sector.

 

 

If there is no interest in learning there would often be a reason for it. And that you have to find - it might be psychological problems – in that case, the teacher or a psychologist has to be included, or the student has phases in following the class – may be a lower class or another school should be tried. One cannot force people to learn if they do not want. 

 

 

It is very important to develop all sides of a child. Not only the intellectual side but also the creative part – music, creative writing, painting – and the practical side in participating in manual work. 

 

 

The active, participatory form of teaching would help create independent and confident students. Teaching and learning have to be problem oriented and solution oriented. Students should during their school time have been asked to solve problems and have been sent out in society to research, interview or observe people or processes – of course, adapted to the age of the child. 

 

 

Yes, the ability to learn is encouraged best with the close cooperation between local authorities, teachers and parents with listening to the students or children’s points of view. Too much top-down legislation or rules seldom lead to results.