Finland has edtech covered

Global education and training expenditure is estimated to increase from five trillion US dollars to at least 10 trillion US dollars by 2030. The primary contributors to this growth are increase in population, smartphone usage, introduction of new technologies and rising demand for new skills. These rapid changes require a different approach to education.

In a world obsessed with gadgets and new technologies, including edtech into classroom teaching seems to be a natural progression in the direction the traditional education system is evolving. The boom in the global edtech startup scene shows that children and adults alike are in need of comprehensive and effective learning solutions. This trend continues in Finland, where the playground has already been well prepped with the top-class Finnish education system.

It is a well-documented fact that Finland has one of the best schooling systems in the world. By removing standardised testing methods and adopting a holistic approach towards education, Finland has been leading the way by striving towards equity over excellence. Being not only a mother but also a part of the multicultural and vibrant edtech scene in Helsinki, it has been a very exciting experience to witness these changes up-close.

Being a teacher in Finland is one of the top and most difficult profession to get into. The competition to get into these courses at universities is fierce. In comparison to other counties, there is a research-informed teaching workforce over here which has a huge impact on approaching new concepts when it comes to classroom teaching.

In my line of work, I have the opportunity to meet and understand the viewpoints of Finnish educators. Schools have been adopting new education technologies sooner compared to the rest of the world. Using 3D modelling and having a 3D printer in the classroom for six-year-olds seem to be commonplace examples of embracing new technologies. Including immersive technologies such as VR and AR brings additional value to the learning experience and creates a new approach towards presenting a concept and making learning more fun.

In addition, the country can boast its excellent gaming talents. Edtech, combined with incredible gaming talents, is a definite way to create new solutions particularly in edtech. With these factors in place, Finland is a country to watch out for when it comes to investing in edtech.