Summing It Up!

Let's flash back to the beginning of this project!

Conclusion I expect to reach:

I expect to reach the conclusion that Sweden’s classroom environment is more relaxed than the United States and that it benefits student learning.

The conclusion that I expected to reach at the beginning of this project became a reality. Sweden's classroom environment is more relaxed than in the United States. However, in other ways it is more strict. Students are held accountable for their work and their attendance in Sweden more than the United States. This benefits student's learning in the classroom as well as in society. Students learn responsibility for themselves and how to be a citizen in their society by being held accountable for their actions. Sweden's school environment is more relaxed in that students are able to leave during their breaks throughout the school day. Students in the U.S. are expected to stay in the school and in class all day. Students in Sweden have a common area where they can go to hang out in a safe environment and take a break from the day. Students in Sweden seemed to thrive in their environment. Students asked their teachers questions, spoke out during discussions, and worked together to solve problems. Every student was on task and seemed excited to learn during the lessons. Every classroom at IES had the same expectations. Students knew their consequences for not upholding the classroom and school expectations. Students do not get as many chances in Sweden's schools as in U.S. schools. For example, if a student's cell phone rang during class, then the student would get an automatic detention. While IES in Sweden seems more strict on students upholding the expectations, students were more casual with their teachers. Students had a relationship with their teachers. This shined through the body language between the students and the teacher as well as the language they used to communicate. Students questioned teachers and the teachers owned up to their own mistakes and vice versa. After class, teachers conferenced with students who didn't understand something from the lesson. Teachers and students seemed to have a mutual understanding that they were their for a purpose and it is important for them to get along. Teachers in the U.S. don't always attempt to connect to their students on this level. Perhaps we should in able to create a positive learning environment.